Evidence mapPaperPMID 41495702Full record

ArticleBMC public health2026

Sexual health literacy and sexual and reproductive health service seeking among young people in Türkiye: levels and determining factors.

Nigar Celik, Havva Yesildere Saglam

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
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

2 authors.

Nigar CelikDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kütahya Health Sciences University, Kütahya, Türkiye. nigar.celik@ksbu.edu.tr.ORCID 0000-0003-4126-0362
Havva Yesildere SaglamDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kütahya Health Sciences University, Kütahya, Türkiye.ORCID 0000-0001-8311-3745

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSexual health literacy is critical for young people to make informed decisions and access sexual and reproductive health services. In Türkiye, factors such as social stigma, lack of information, and cultural taboos and structural barriers may negatively affect young people's sexual and reproductive health service-seeking behaviors.

aimThe aim of this study is to determine the levels of sexual health literacy and sexual and reproductive health service seeking among Turkish youth, identify the factors affecting these levels, and to examine the relationship between sexual health literacy and service-seeking behavior.

methodThe cross-sectional descriptive study was completed with 512 young people aged 18-30 years in Türkiye using an online survey distributed via social media platforms. Data were collected using the Sexual Health Literacy Scale and the Sexual and Reproductive Health Service Seeking Scale. Descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and linear regression analyses were used in the analysis of the data.

resultsParticipants' sexual health literacy was found to be at a moderate level (50.09 ± 9.23), while service seeking was above moderate (37.62 ± 9.87). A positive relationship was found between sexual health literacy and service seeking (p < 0.05). According to regression analysis, sexual health literacy level and history of unwanted pregnancy were factors predicting service seeking (R²=0.125, F = 7.983, p < 0.001). The level of sexual health literacy was found to be associated with gender, income level, family type, parents' education level, receipt of sexual health education, active sexual life, contraceptive use, unwanted pregnancy, and sexually transmitted disease history. The level of service seeking was influenced by marital status, family type, parental education, sexual activity, sexually transmitted disease diagnosis, unwanted pregnancy, and the need for emergency contraception. Main barriers to service seeking were embarrassment (35%), not prioritizing sexual health (22.1%), minimizing the problem (21.5%), and lack of information (18%).

conclusionThis study shows that limited sexual health literacy may restrict Turkish youth's access to sexual and reproductive health services. Strengthening sexual health education, improving access to reliable online information, and fostering youth-friendly health services including guidance by nurses are essential. These measures can ensure equitable, inclusive, and effective sexual and reproductive health care.

Indexed as

Health LiteracyPatient Acceptance of Health CareReproductive Health ServicesSexual HealthAdolescentAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleSurveys and QuestionnairesTurkeyYoung AdultHealthcare seekingNursingReproductive healthSexual health literacyTürkiyeYouth

Identifiers

PMID41495702
PMCPMC12870725

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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 Socratic graph.