Attitude toward virginity and its determinants among girls in Tabriz: Iran Somayyeh Naghizadeh, Raziyeh Maasoumi, Mojgan Mirghafourvand, Farideh Khalajabadi-Farahani Reproductive Health, 2024 BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the attitude of unmarried girls towards virginity, and its determinants, comparing three age cohorts (born in the 70s, 80s, and 90s) in the city of Tabriz in northwestern Iran. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 700 girls residing in Tabriz in 2021 employing a population-based cluster sampling based on health clinics and households. We collected data using a pilot-tested instrument, which comprised socio-demographic questions, and statements to assess attitudes towards virginity and its importance, the meaning of virginity, ways of losing virginity, and perception of the hymen. The data was analyzed using SPSS, version 21. Analysis of variance and independent t-test was used for bivariate analysis and linear regression was used to identify the determinants of the attitude. A p value under 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Only about one-third (35.2%) of unmarried girls considered preserving virginity as an important issue for girls before marriage in current days. About 27% were uncertain and about 38% believed it was unimportant. The importance of virginity (score range 7-35) was significantly greater for girls born in the 70s than for girls born in the 80s and 90s (p < 0.05). In the multivariate linear regression model, the determinants of the importance of virginity were older age, greater religious affiliation, living with both parents and lower consumption of the internet and social networks for sexual information. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates significant shifts in sexual attitudes among young females which may have important implications for marriage age and the culturally and age-appropriate sexual health interventions of young people.
Factors affecting the sexual health of newly married couples: A qualitative study of experts' point of views Zabihollah Gharlipour, Leila GHazvinian, Zohreh Khalajinia, Farideh Khalajabadi Farahani, Mostafa GHazvinian Payesh, 2024 Objective(s):Sexual health is one of the main aspects of health that strengthens the foundation of the family.Therefore, a study was conducted aiming to explore the factors affecting the sexual health of newly married couples from the point of view of experts.Methods: This qualitative study was conducted by purposeful sampling in 2018 (May-Nov) with the participation of 20 experts using in-depth individual semi-structured interviews.All interviews were recorded and typed.The data was analyzed using conventional content analysis method and MAXQDA.10software.Results: Factors affecting sexual health were explained in three categories and seven sub-categories.The three main categories included family factors (sexual education and economic-social status), individual factors (physical-mental health, interpersonal relationships) and marital factors (sexual schemas, sexual problems and sexual conversation).Conclusion: Based on the results obtained from the present study, couples need to receive sufficient information and special skills in psychological, individual and family, marital and socio-religious topics for improved sexual health.
Domestic Violence and Its Impact on Abortion in Iran: Evidence From a Nationally Representative Survey Reyhaneh Bagheri, Farideh Khalajabadi Farahani, Marzieh Ebrahimi Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 2023 The objective of this article is to assess the effect of domestic violence on abortion and investigate the mediating role of unwanted pregnancy. A secondary analysis was conducted on the National Family Survey data. This survey was a cross-sectional study conducted across Iran in 2018. The association between domestic violence and abortion was analyzed using the Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) with WarpPLS version 8.0. From among 1,544 married women (mean age 42.8 years) who participated in this survey, 27% (418 women) reported experiencing at-least one-lifetime of abortion. Overall, two in three women (67.3%) experienced at least one form of domestic violence. Almost half of the women with experience of abortion (49.3%) reported at least one unwanted pregnancy in their life course. The bivariate analysis showed a significant positive relationship between domestic violence and abortion, and there was a positive direct effect of domestic violence on unwanted pregnancy. Moreover, age had a negative direct and indirect effect on unwanted pregnancy and abortion. Although, the direct effect of domestic violence on abortion was not significant in the Structure Equation Model, a positive indirect effect of domestic violence on abortion through unwanted pregnancy was confirmed. The effect of unwanted pregnancy on abortion was particularly strong (β = .395, p < .01). These results have some implications for prevention of abortion through interventions against unwanted and unplanned pregnancy and domestic violence. This study makes a unique theoretical contribution to the literature through assessing the mediating role of unwanted pregnancy between domestic violence and abortion by using the SEM model.
Sexual and reproductive health-related questions and concerns of newly married couples: A qualitative content analysis Fahimeh Ranjbar, Farideh Khalajabadi Farahani, Maryam Montazeri, Shayesteh Jahanfar, Maryam Gharacheh Health Science Reports, 2023 Background and AimsApproximately half of Iranian marring couples have poor sexual knowledge and attitudes. This article delves into the main concerns and queries regarding sexual and reproductive health among Iranian newly married couples.MethodsWe conducted a content analysis of the sexual and reproductive health questions and concerns that were anonymously submitted by newly married couples to the researcher via social media in 2021–2022.ResultsA total of 141 questions and concerns that were related to sexual and reproductive health were considered for content analysis. Findings illustrated two main categories: (1) the need to create a reproductive life plan, and (2) the need for sexual knowledge and counseling. The first category consisted of three subcategories: “Poor contraceptive knowledge,” “Need for support in case of a missed period or unplanned pregnancy,” and “Need for preconception care.” The second category included three subcategories: “Concern regarding virginity,” “Sexual problems on the honeymoon,” and “Sexual problems in newlyweds.”ConclusionIranian newly married couples need long‐term specialized services addressing their reproductive life planning and sexual knowledge needs. Integrating reproductive life planning and comprehensive sex education into the primary care services for newly married couples can help to reduce delayed childbearing, unintended pregnancy, unsafe and illegal abortion, and subsequent infertility.
Analyzing the concept of sexual self-care in preschool children: A qualitative study Zahra Rahimi Khalifeh Kandi, Farbod Ebadi Fard Azar, Farideh Khalajabadi Farahani, Nammamali Azadi, Morteza Mansourian Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 2023 BACKGROUND: Child sexual abuse is a global concern for families and societies. Therefore, child protection from sexual harassment is of particular importance. The present study aimed to investigate the concept of sexual self-care in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present research is a qualitative study conducted with a content analysis approach. The study participants include 39 child sex education specialists, parents of children aged 4–7 years, adolescents who were sexually abused in childhood, and those with no experience of sexual abuse in childhood. The participants were selected through purposive sampling method. Different people's interpretations of the concept of sexual self-care in children were explored using semi-structured and face-to-face interviews, which continued until the saturation of concepts. Data were analyzed using the Graneheim and Lundman method. Guba and Lincoln's criteria were used to strengthen the validity and transferability of the data. RESULTS: Sexual self-care in children was identified from participants' viewpoints in the study. This self-care includes three main components and six subcomponents of (1) knowledge about privacy, risk situation, and trustworthy people, (2) attitude and perception of risk, and (3) behavioral skills in self-protection (i.e., post-injury reaction). CONCLUSION: Further injuries can be prevented by improving the level of awareness, forming the right attitude, and strengthening children's behavioral skills toward sexual self-care. Such issues, which are representatives of privacy, risk situations, and self-protection ability, can improve children's sexual self-care skills.
Exploring the Consequences of Early Marriage: A Conventional Content Analysis Javad Yoosefi Lebni, Mahnaz Solhi, Farbod Ebadi Fard Azar, Farideh Khalajabadi Farahani, Seyed Fahim Irandoost Inquiry United States, 2023 Early marriage is one of the most important social issues for young women and can have many consequences. The present study aimed to explore the consequences of early marriage among Kurdish women in western Iran who were married under the age of 18. This qualitative study was conducted with the approach of conventional content analysis. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 30 women selected by purposeful sampling. Data analysis was performed using Graneheim and Lundman’s method. A total of 389 codes, 12 subcategories, 4 sub-categories, and 2 main categories were extracted from the data analysis. Negative consequences of early marriage include: 1—physical and psychological problems (high-risk pregnancy and childbirth, physical illnesses, depression, and emotional distress); 2—family problems (dissatisfaction with married life, experience of having lots of responsibility, lack of independence in family life); 3—social problems (risky social behaviors, lack of access to social and health services, social isolation, lack of access to a job, and educational opportunities); and 4—positive consequences, including receiving intra-family support, improving living conditions, and opportunities for progress and empowerment. It is possible to reduce problems and challenges after early marriage by increasing the awareness and knowledge of young women about contraceptives and providing appropriate social and health facilities, and services during pregnancy. Providing the necessary training and psychological counseling for them and their husbands on how to deal with personal problems and marital life will be effective to a great extent.
Development of strategies to promote healthy sexuality based on Iranian girls perspective about the role of virginity in the construction of their sexuality: an explanatory sequential mixed method study protocol Somayyeh Naghizadeh, Raziyeh Maasoumi, Farideh Khalajabadi-Farahani, Mojgan Mirghafourvand Reproductive Health, 2022 Background The modern Iran is a blend of tradition and modernity, but its dominant culture is still traditional and takes pride in female virginity. On the other hand, the influential factors such as modernity, education, social networks, global communication, influence from advanced Western societies, have obviously led to the emergence of a freer sexual attitude associated with less significance of virginity. Since the traditional, cultural and religious significance of virginity among Iranian girls can shape their sexual behaviors, therefore, the aim of the present study is development of strategies to promote healthy sexuality based on Iranian girls perspective about the role of virginity in the construction of their sexuality. Methods/design This is a two-stage study; an explanatory sequential mixed-methods follow-up design will be employed in the first stage, which consists of two quantitative and qualitative phases. The first phase is the cross-sectional survey that will be conducted on 700 single girls born in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. The sample will be selected using the cluster sampling method in the health centers of Tabriz-Iran. The determined sample size will be divided among the selected health centers based on the quota criterion, and eligible households will be selected randomly from the said centers using the SIB website (sib.tbzmed.ac.ir). To collect the required data in the quantitative phase, we will use a researcher-made questionnaire to evaluate the girls’ views about virginity and its influential factors, designed based on the theory of “social construction of sexuality”. After quantitative data collection and analysis, the findings inform qualitative data collection and analysis. The qualitative phase of the study will be conducted on girls living in Tabriz using in-depth and semi-structured individual interviews and purposive sampling method to collect the required qualitative data. The collected data will be analyzed using the conventional content analysis approach. The findings of two phase will be integrated for further explanation and interpretation to be used in the second stage. In the second phase of this study, a nominal group meeting will be held with the participation of reproductive and sexual health experts. The strategies extracted from the results of the first phase and review the texts in this meeting will be provided to experts and after receiving the opinions and ideas of the relevant group of experts and prioritizing them, appropriate strategies to improve and promote the healthy sexuality of Iranian girls will be presented. Discussion This study is one of the few studies conducted in the field of sexual health and culture in Iran, that using a “mixed-methods” approach to determine and explain the role of virginity in the construction of the sexuality from the Iranian girls perspective. We hope that this study can present evidence-based documents from the latest physical, psychological and social developments in young Iranian girls’ sexuality and that the presented healthy sexuality promotion strategies, which will be based on Iranian socio-cultural developments, can provide the basic information required for policy-making and planning for young girls’ sexual health. It is also hoped that the findings of this study will be useful in culture-based sexuality education and support for reproductive and sexual health care for the young Iranian generation.
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Effect of transtheoretical model-based education on women attitudes and stages of change toward childbearing behavior Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, 2019
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Analyzing the methodologies to estimate age at natural menopause and its effective factors Koomesh, 2007
Sexual Risk-Taking Behaviors among Boys Aged 15-18 Years in Tehran Kazem Mohammad, Farideh Khalaj Abadi Farahani, Mohammad Reza Mohammadi, Siamak Alikhani, Mohammad Zare, Fahimeh Ramezani Tehrani, Ali Ramezankhani, Alireza Hasanzadeh, Hossein Ghanbari Journal of Adolescent Health, 2007
The sociocultural context of sexual and reproductive health literacy among women living in Sanandaj, western Iran: a qualitative study H Faridi, FK Farahani, M Lamyian, F Ahmadi, A Montazeri Reproductive Health 22 (1), 200 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Shifting Paradigms: Marriage Salience and Premarital Intimacy and Sex among Elite Women in Tehran FK Farahani Athens Journal of Demography and Anthropology 1 (3), 171-192 , 2025 2025
Effect of Socioeconomic factors on the constructs of the modified theory of planned behavior in relation to reproductive health in adolescents: cross-sectional study F Darabi, M Yaseri, F Khalajabadi Farahani, A Maheri, MH Kaveh Health Education and Health Promotion 5 (3), 21-35 , 2025 2025 Citations: 3
Factors Affecting the Decision to Become a Parent: A Content Analysis F Ranjbar, FK Farahani, S Montazeri, M Taheri, M Mirghafourvand, ... Health Science Reports 8 (7), e70972 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
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Exploring barriers to accessing health care services by young women in rural settings: a qualitative study in Australia, Canada, and Sweden R Golestani, FK Farahani, P Peters BMC Public Health 25 (1), 213 , 2025 2025 Citations: 39
Shifting Paradigms: Marriage Salience and Premarital Intimacy and Sex among Elite Women in Tehran F Khalajabadi-Farahani 2025 Citations: 1
Factors affecting the sexual health of newly married couples: A qualitative study of experts' point of views Z Gharlipour, L Ghazvinian, Z Khalajinia, F Khalajabadi Farahani, ... Payesh (Health Monitor) 23 (6), 895-905 , 2024 2024
Attitude toward virginity and its determinants among girls in Tabriz: Iran S Naghizadeh, R Maasoumi, M Mirghafourvand, F Khalajabadi-Farahani Reproductive Health 21 (1), 149 , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
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Fertility knowledge, childbearing intentions and attitudes regarding parenthood among men and women about to get married in Iran F Ranjbar, M Gharacheh, FK Farahani, S Montazeri, M Mirghafourvand, ... HUMAN REPRODUCTION 39, I410-I410 , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
P-461 Fertility knowledge, childbearing intentions and attitudes regarding parenthood among men and women about to get married in Iran F Ranjbar, M Gharacheh, F Khalajabadi Farahani, S Montazeri, ... Human Reproduction 39 (Supplement_1), deae108. 808 , 2024 2024 Citations: 2
Teenagers in cyberspace; Issues and challenges FK Farahani 2024
Sexual and reproductive health‐related questions and concerns of newly married couples: A qualitative content analysis F Ranjbar, F Khalajabadi Farahani, M Montazeri, S Jahanfar, ... Health Science Reports 6 (8), e1479 , 2023 2023 Citations: 8
Domestic violence and its impact on abortion in Iran: evidence from a nationally representative survey R Bagheri, FK Farahani, M Ebrahimi Journal of interpersonal violence 38 (15-16), 9492-9513 , 2023 2023 Citations: 6
Analyzing the concept of sexual self-care in preschool children: A qualitative study ZRK Kandi, FEF Azar, FK Farahani, N Azadi, M Mansourian Journal of education and health promotion 12 (1), 118 , 2023 2023 Citations: 6
Exploring the consequences of early marriage: a conventional content analysis J Yoosefi Lebni, M Solhi, F Ebadi Fard Azar, F Khalajabadi Farahani, ... INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing … , 2023 2023 Citations: 150
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Effect of slightly elevated progesterone on hCG trigger day on clinical pregnancy rate in GnRH-ant IVF/ICSI cycles J Zhao, J Hao, B Xu, Y Wang, Y Li Reproductive Health 19 (1), 66 , 2022 2022 Citations: 16
Perceived barriers to implementing sexual health programs from the viewpoint of health policymakers in Iran: A qualitative study M Motamedi, M Shahbazi, E Merghati-Khoei, M Salehi, A Hajebi, ... Sexuality Research and Social Policy 19 (1), 273-285 , 2022 2022 Citations: 13
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Reproductive knowledge, attitudes and behavior among adolescent males in Tehran, Iran MR Mohammadi, K Mohammad, F Farahani, Khalajabadi Farahani, ... International family planning perspectives, 35-44 , 2006 2006 Citations: 298
Factors influencing fast-food consumption among adolescents in Tehran: A qualitative study HA Majabadi, M Solhi, A Montazeri, D Shojaeizadeh, S Nejat, ... Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal 18 (3), e23890 , 2016 2016 Citations: 165
Age at natural menopause in Iran K Mohammad, SM Sadat Hashemi, F Khalajabadi Farahani Maturitas 49 (4), 321-326 , 2004 2004 Citations: 157
Exploring the consequences of early marriage: a conventional content analysis J Yoosefi Lebni, M Solhi, F Ebadi Fard Azar, F Khalajabadi Farahani, ... INQUIRY: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing … , 2023 2023 Citations: 150
Sexual risk-taking behaviors among boys aged 15–18 years in Tehran K Mohammad, F Khalajabadi Farahani, MR Mohammadi, S Alikhani, ... Journal of Adolescent Health 41 (4), 407-414 , 2007 2007 Citations: 146
Associations between family factors and premarital heterosexual relationships among female college students in Tehran F Khalajabadi Farahani, J Cleland, AH Mehryar International perspectives on sexual and reproductive health, 30-39 , 2011 2011 Citations: 141
Exploring barriers of the health system to rehabilitation services for people with disabilities in Iran: A qualitative study K Abdi, M Arab, A Rashidian, M Kamali, HR Khankeh, FK Farahani Electronic physician 7 (7), 1476 , 2015 2015 Citations: 107
The effect of a theory of planned behavior-based educational intervention on sexual and reproductive health in Iranian adolescent girls: a randomized controlled trial F Darabi, MH Kaveh, FK Farahani, M Yaseri, F Majlessi, D Shojaeizadeh Journal of research in health sciences 17 (4), 400 , 2017 2017 Citations: 96
Paradoxical attitudes toward premarital dating and sexual encounters in Tehran, Iran: A cross-sectional study M Motamedi, E Merghati-Khoei, M Shahbazi, S Rahimi-Naghani, M Salehi, ... Reproductive health 13 (1), 102 , 2016 2016 Citations: 90
Adolescent males and young females in Tehran: differing perspectives, behaviors and needs for reproductive health and implications for gender sensitive interventions F Khalajabadi Farahani, I Shah, J Cleland, MR Mohammadi Journal of Reproduction & Infertility 13 (2), 101 , 2012 2012 Citations: 88
Factors influencing contraceptive use in Tehran FR Tehrani, F Khalajabadi Farahani, MS Hashemi Family practice 18 (2), 204-208 , 2001 2001 Citations: 74
Adolescents and young people’s sexual and reproductive health in Iran: a conceptual review FK Farahani The Journal of Sex Research 57 (6), 743-780 , 2020 2020 Citations: 69
Emotional and psychological problems of infertility and strategies to overcome them MR Mohammadi, FKA Farahani Journal of Reproduction & infertility 2 (4) , 2001 2001 Citations: 60
Causes and grounds of childbirth fear and coping strategies used by Kurdish adolescent pregnant women in Iran: a qualitative study JY Lebni, FK Farahani, M Solhi, FEF Azar Journal of Reproduction & Infertility 22 (1), 47 , 2021 2021 Citations: 58
Perceived norms of premarital heterosexual relationships and sexuality among female college students in Tehran F Khalajabadi Farahani, J Cleland Culture, health & sexuality 17 (6), 700-717 , 2015 2015 Citations: 56
Women’s perception of sexual socialization in Iran: A qualitative study R Maasoumi, M Lamyian, F Khalajabadi Farahani, A Montazeri Journal of Qualitative Research in Health Sciences 2 (3), 221-233 , 2013 2013 Citations: 54
Qualitative study of social determinants of child marriage in Kurdish regions of Iran: Evidence for health promotion interventions JY Lebni, M Solhi, FEF Azar, FK Farahani Journal of education and health promotion 9, 242 , 2020 2020 Citations: 50
Sexual and reproductive health knowledge among men and women aged 15 to 49 years in metropolitan Tehran S Rahimi-Naghani, E Merghati-Khoei, M Shahbazi, ... The Journal of Sex Research 53 (9), 1153-1164 , 2016 2016 Citations: 47
Challenges in providing rehabilitation services for people with disabilities in Iran: A qualitative study K Abdi, M Arab, H Khankeh, M Kamali, A Rashidian, F Farahani, ... British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research 13 (4), 1-11 , 2016 2016 Citations: 47
Intention for cesarean section versus vaginal delivery among pregnant women in Isfahan: Correlates and determinants Z Shams-Ghahfarokhi, F Khalajabadi-Farahani Journal of reproduction & infertility 17 (4), 230 , 2016 2016 Citations: 46