Analysis of the Relation Between the Students’ Knowledge on Sexual Health, Opinions on Sexual Myths and Level of Health Literacy

Authors : Funda Kocaay, Hilal Melis Altintaş

Pages : 403-411

Doi:10.18521/ktd.1347600

View : 188 | Download : 357

Publication Date : 2023-10-20

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Introduction: From the public health perspective, young people are considered as a priority group in terms of sexually transmitted diseases and sexual habits. Sexual dimension among adolescents and young adults can be influenced by their overall and sexual health due to its impact on intellectual growth and development and their level of knowledge can significantly affect their reproductive health. The study aims to measure university students’ health literacy, sexual health knowledge and sexual myths and in this way explore the relationship between these variables and among various demographic variables. Materials and Methods: The sample of the study is comprised of 559 female and 282 male university students. In the first part, demographic information scale, in the second part sexual health knowledge test, in the third part sexual myths scale, in the fourth part health literacy in Turkey scale were implemented. Results: In the analysis across the sexes, it was revealed that males have more sexual myths than females (p<0,05). In the analysis across the faculties, it was unearthed that students in medical and dental faculties obtained similar points from the scales, but medical faculty students received the highest point and social sciences students received the lowest point. Besides, it was observed that health literacy and sexual health knowledge significantly predicted sexual myths (p<0,005). Conclusions: To this end, it is recommended that consulting services be provided for parents, educational programs be planned for all the departments at university, peer education and supporting programs be implemented and more scientific research be conducted.
Keywords : Sağlık okuryazarlığı, cinsel sağlık bilgisi, cinsel mitler, Üniversite öğrencisi