Development and Evaluation of a Sexual Health Improvement Program for Women with Gynecologic Cancer

ABSTRACT

Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to develop a SHIP (Sexual Health Improvement Program) for women with gynecologic cancer and to evaluate the program effect. @*Methods@#The SHIP was developed using a needs assessment derived from an in-depth interview and analysis of literature based on the sexual health framework. This program consisted of providing information about sexuality, Kegel exercises, group art activities, and psychodrama and group counseling. The program was held for two hours, once a week for six weeks. A pre-post quasi-experimental design was employed (experimental group 15 and control group 15). Data collecting was conducted by using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), as well as body image and sexual communication questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 18.0. @*Results@#The SHIP experimental group showed significantly increased scores for FSFI (U=31.00, p<.001), body image (U=50.00, p=.009), and sexual communication (U=26.00, p<.001) compared with the control group. @*Conclusion@#The SHIP adopted in this study was found to be an effective method to increase sexual function, body image, and sexual communication for women with gynecologic cancer, and is therefore recommended.