Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32202220›Full record

SynthesisSexual and reproductive health matters2020

Sexually transmitted infection knowledge and attitudes among Muslim women worldwide: a systematic review.

Noura Alomair, Samah Alageel, Nathan Davies, Julia V Bailey

Open access · goldAbstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Sexual and reproductive health matters, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 25 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
25citing papers in PubMed
3.8field-weighted citation impact, top 6% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

25 citing papers in PubMed, 37 citations in OpenAlex.

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  14. The sexual and reproductive health knowledge of women in Australia: A scoping review.Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals · 2025
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.

Noura AlomairPostgraduate Researcher, Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7818-7854
Samah AlageelAssistant Professor, Community Health Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6945-5308
Nathan DaviesSenior Research Fellow, Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK.
Julia V BaileyAssociate Professor, Research Department of Primary Care and Population Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, London, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5001-0122
University College London · GBKing Saud University · SA

Funding

Marie Curie MCCC-FCO-11-U
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Extramarital sexual relations are forbidden in Islam, and sexual health information is not readily available in Islamic communities, especially for women. This review aimed to explore sexually transmitted infection (STI) knowledge and attitudes among Muslim women worldwide. A systematic review was conducted on seven electronic databases. We included qualitative and quantitative studies of female Muslim participants of reproductive age, focusing on STI knowledge and attitudes. A narrative synthesis approach was used with thematic analysis methods. Eighteen studies conducted in 13 countries were included. Three main themes were identified: poor knowledge and misconceptions; sources of sexual health information and information needs; and cultural influences on STI knowledge and attitudes. Generally, Muslim women had poor knowledge regarding STI signs and symptoms, prevention, diagnosis and treatment, in addition to many misconceptions. Negative attitudes towards people infected with HIV/AIDS were common, and attitudes were highly influenced by misconceptions and insufficient knowledge. Infected women tended to be subjected to more blame and judgement compared to men. While the review summarises knowledge and attitudes of Muslim women worldwide, we excluded studies that did not clearly state that the study participants were Muslim women, hence many countries with Muslim populations are not represented in this review. Negative attitudes towards STIs make it harder for women to access sexual health information, STI prevention and treatment. This review highlights the need for culturally sensitive sexual health education for Muslim women. Future sex education interventions would benefit from considering the wider personal and external barriers.

Indexed as

IslamSexually Transmitted DiseasesCultureFemaleHealth BehaviorHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHIV InfectionsHumansReligionSexual BehaviorSexual HealthcultureHIV/AIDSreligionsexual healthsexually transmitted infections

Identifiers

PMID32202220
PMCPMC7888124
OpenAlexW3012622140

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.