Sexual and reproductive health literacy of the youth in Bandar Abbas

Objective: Considering the high prevalence of complications, including unwanted pregnancies and high risk sexual behaviors among the Iranian youth population, the aim of this study was to evaluate the sexual and reproductive health literacy among the youth in Bandar Abbas. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Bandar Abbas in 2018. Sexual and reproductive health literacy information was collected using a researcher-made sexual and reproductive health literacy questionnaire (score range 0 to 100) from 400 young people who referred to Bandar Abbas marriage counseling center. Data was analyzed using SPSS 22 software. Results: The mean age of the participants (50.3% male and 49.7% female) was 23 +/- 4 years. The mean total sexual and reproductive health literacy score was 54 +/- 11, indicating an insufficient overall level of sexual and reproductive health literacy in the population. There was no difference in sexual and reproductive health literacy score between genders (P = 0.50). There was a direct correlation between education level and sexual and reproductive health literacy score (P < 0.001). The most common ways to access information related to sexual and reproductive health in this study were internet and virtual networks (48%), physicians and health care staff (47%). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it seems that policy makers should focus on educating health care providers regarding health literacy in order to promote the health literacy of the youth and society through virtual networks and websites affiliated with the health system.