How to define sexual health? A qualitative analysis of people's perceptions

Abstract

Sexual health promotion policies depend on the concept’s consensual international definitions. However, the use of resources by the population is connected to what people conceive as sexual health, which means there could be a gap between available resources and populational needs, leading to ineffective ways to promote and to intervene in this health field. In this cross sectional qualitative study, 148 participants aged between 19 and 75 years old were asked “what is sexual health?”. A reflexive thematic analysis was conducted, and a multidimensional conception of sexual health was identified, composed by four themes: ‘Let’s get physical, physical’; ‘I’m in charge!’; ‘I am not alone in this’; and ‘Sexual justice is a must!’. Our study underlines that this sample recognizes sexual health as an important part of global health. Large emphasis is given to bodily, physical experience of sexuality [e.g. arousal, STIs, pregnancy], although it is not independent from the relational context where it commonly takes place, or from its social determinants. Sexual health is crucial to psychological, physical and relational well-being and is a reflex of social policies, which makes it an important field of intervention for psychology professionals from different areas [e.g. health, clinical, social, educational] with different population segments.

Date of Award	2022
Original language	English
Supervisor	Patrícia M. Pascoal (Supervisor)