Psychometric Properties and Factor Structure of the Persian Version of the Sexual Health Outcomes in Women Questionnaire Among Iranian Women With Pelvic Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To accurately assess women's sexual health, psychometrically sound and culturally adapted instruments must be used. Although the Sexual Health Outcomes in Women Questionnaire (SHOW-Q) is widely used among Western populations, a validated Persian version has yet to be developed. This study aimed to translate the SHOW-Q into Persian and evaluate its psychometric properties among Iranian women with pelvic disorders.

METHODS

A cross-sectional methodological study was conducted from February to November 2024. The SHOW-Q was translated into Persian using the standard forward-backward method. A total of 416 women diagnosed with pelvic disorders completed the Persian version of the questionnaire. The psychometric evaluation included face and content validity (qualitative and quantitative), as well as construct validity via exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and convergent and discriminant validity. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were also assessed.

RESULTS

The Persian SHOW-Q comprises 13 items, and factor analysis supports a three-factor structure considering the physical and psychological influences on sexual function, satisfaction, and experience. Model fit indices were satisfactory. Cronbach's alpha (α = 0.823) indicated strong internal consistency and test-retest reliability showed excellent stability (ICC = 0.993).

CONCLUSION

The Persian version of the SHOW-Q demonstrates satisfactory psychometric properties and can be used to reliably and validly evaluate sexual health outcomes among Iranian women with pelvic disorders.