Association Between Sexual Health Knowledge and Preventive Behaviors Against Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Female University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to examine the association between sexual health knowledge and preventive behaviors against sexually transmitted diseases among female university students.Method: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 457 female university students at a state university in Konya, Türkiye. Data were collected using the Demographic Information Form, the Sexual Health Knowledge Test (SHKT), and the behavioral scale for protection from sexually transmitted diseases (STD) behavioral scale. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis were used fordata analysis.Results: The mean age of the participants was 21.32±2.27 years. The mean SHKT score was 27.24±6.98, and the mean total STD behavioral scale score was 80.92±9.65. Weak but statistically significant positive correlations were found between the SHKT total score and the Knowledge and Protection subscale (r=0.272, p