Maryam Nassimi - Department of sociology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Habib Sabouri Khosrowshahi - Department of sociology, East Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Nowruz Hashemzehi - Department of sociology, East Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Background and Objectives: Family is the most sacred institution in the religion of Islam, and women’s health is the keystone of family and society’s health. Therefore, addressing all aspects of women’s health, including sexual health, contributes to strengthening the foundation of the family. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between religious beliefs and sexual health in women.. Methods: This study was conducted on ۳۸۳ married women aged less than ۵۰ years residing in Qom, Iran, during ۲۰۱۶-۲۰۱۷. Sampling was carried out using the cluster sampling method, and data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire, whose face validity and reliability were confirmed based on the opinions of experts and estimation of Cronbach’s alpha, respectively. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson’s correlation and linear regression model) in SPSS. Results: We observed a significant positive correlation between sexual health and religious beliefs. Moreover, our results demonstrated that religious beliefs could predict sexual health, such that ۲۷% of the changes in sexual health were predicted by religious beliefs. Conclusion: According to the results, sexual relationship with the spouse is deemed as a divine and sacred blessing based on the religion and religious beliefs, resulting in a higher level of sexual health.  

Family, Health, Sexuality, Sexual health, Religious Beliefs.