Examining the Sexual Health Literacy Level of Students at Bushehr University of Medical Sciences and its Relationship with Demographic Variables

Abstract

Introduction: Considering the importance of sexual health literacy among youths, especially students, and the occurrence of health-threatening behaviors due to the spread and pollution of available information, this study endeavored to determine the level of sexual health literacy of students and its relationship with demographic variables.Methods: This applied study was an analytical survey. The sample consisted of 387 students of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences. To collect data, the "Sexual Health Literacy of Iranian Adults" questionnaire was employed within four domains (access, reading and understanding, analysis and evaluation, and application).Results: The average score of sexual health literacy of the students is higher than the average score of the report questionnaire, and among the components of sexual health literacy, "application" has the highest average and the "analysis and evaluation" has the lowest average. Paramedical faculty students had a lower average score than the students of other faculties. The variable score of reading and understanding in unmarried students was significantly lower than married students.Conclusion: According to the results and the importance of sexual health literacy, it seems necessary for managers and policy makers to take appropriate decisions to increase the sexual health literacy skills of different groups, including youths, and take necessary plans, practical solutions, and serious steps.

Keywords

• sexual health literacy
• sexual health
• students
• bushehr city