The Effect of Group Counseling based on Acceptance and Commitment Therap on Sexual Satisfaction among women with HIV or women with HIV-positive Partners: A Parallel Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background & aim: Half of individuals living with HIV experience a decline in their quality of life due to sexual issues. This study aimed to determine the effect of group counseling based on ACT on sexual satisfaction among women with HIV or women with HIV-positive partners.Methods: This parallel-randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out on 32 women with HIV or women with HIV-positive attended the Behavioral Disease Counseling Center in Yazd and Meybod, Iran. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups. One group comprised 16 participants who attended ten weekly 2-hours sessions, while the other group underwent routine counseling at the center. The study used Demographic information and sexual satisfaction questionnaires, which completed 2018   September. Data analyzed using Chi-square, independent t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA with SPSS software Version 16. Results: The demographic variables between the two groups did not show any significant difference. The intervention group demonstrated significant differences in average sexual satisfaction scores before, after, and one month after the intervention (90.87±13.3, 96.31±12.94, and 97.81±12.52), respectively. However, the control group did not exhibit significant differences in sexual satisfaction scores (83.93±18.07, 84.87±17.49, and 85.06±16.70).Conclusion: The study reveals that ACT can increase sexual satisfaction among women with HIV or women with HIV-positive partners.  By empowering affected women exposed to HIV through the use of ACT, patients’ sexual satisfaction can be significantly improved.

The Effect of Group Counseling based on Acceptance and Commitment Therap on Sexual Satisfaction among women with HIV or women with HIV-positive Partners: A Parallel Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Keywords:

HIV , ACT , Acceptance and commitment therapy , Sexual satisfaction