Nigar Çelik, Havva Yeşildere Sağlam
BACKGROUND: Sexual 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. AIM: The 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. METHOD: The 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. RESULTS: Participants' 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%). CONCLUSION: This 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.