DOI: 10.26453/otjhs.1797141 ISSN: 2459-1467

Factors Associated with Sexual Health Literacy Among Women Aged 18-49: Sociodemographic and Gender Equality Related Variables and Gender Role Attitudes

Ahu Aksoy Can
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Objective: This study aims to investigate how sociodemographic and gender equality–related variables, along with attitudes toward gender roles, influence sexual health literacy among women aged 18-49. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a cross-sectional study. Data were collected from 316 women across Türkiye between July and September, 2025, through social media and online communication platforms. The data were gathered using the Descriptive Characteristics Form, the Gender Roles Attitude Scale (GRAS), and the Sexual Health Literacy Scale (SHLS). For the analysis process, descriptive statistics, independent group comparisons, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis were used. Results: The variables that were significantly associated with participants’ sexual health literacy were egalitarian attitudes toward gender roles (β=0.265), joint decision-making with a spouse at home (β=0.241), having a nuclear family (β=0.197) and an egalitarian/modern extended family structure (β=0.172), and having received gender equality education (β=0.173). The research model significantly explained 25% of the variance in sexual health literacy (R²=0.250; p<0.001). Conclusion: Sexual health literacy is shaped not only by individual knowledge levels but also by women’s social environment, family structure, and attitudes toward gender roles. As a result, interventions aimed at improving women’s sexual health literacy should incorporate holistic approaches that promote egalitarian social norms, support women’s active participation in family decision-making processes, and enhance gender awareness.

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