Needs Assessment in Premarital Education: A Narrative Review of Iranian Studies from 2007 to 2023

Abstract

Context: Pre-marriage education courses are held in a wide variety of subjects including reproductive health in Iran. The results of educational needs assessments can greatly contribute to the enhancement of the courses. Critically, comparing the results of these studies is essential for identifying patterns, regional trends, and best practices in pre-marriage education. Evidence Acquisition: This narrative review analyses the results of needs assessment studies on pre-marriage education published between 2007 and 2023 by searching the databases of Sid, PubMed, Google Scholar and Irandoc. At first, using keywords "reproductive health, premarital education, Iran and needs assessment", 63 primary articles were extracted. Following the application of predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 studies met the eligibility requirements and were included in this review. Results: The findings revealed that the educational requirements of most participants, regardless of gender, exceeded the average. In most of the studies, the educational needs of women were greater than those of men. The primary educational needs in reproductive health encompass marital and sexual health, prevention of common cancers in women, prevention of unwanted and high-risk pregnancies, congenital diseases, premarital tests, sexually transmitted diseases, and menstrual health. For other issues, key areas of focus were mental health, the qualifications of educators, the use of appropriate educational technology, and ensuring sufficient educational content. Conclusions: The review highlights the key areas for improvement in premarital education programs across Iran. The study emphasizes the importance of tailoring premarital education to address the specific needs of different populations.