Examining the correlation between sexual health literacy, sexually transmitted diseases and internet addiction among adolescents.

AIM: The aim of this study is to examine the correlation between sexual health literacy, sexually transmitted diseases, and internet addiction among adolescents.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 430 adolescents. The data were collected using a Socio-Demographic Data Form, the Sexual Health Literacy Scale, the Sexually Transmitted Disease-Knowledge Questionnaire, and the Young's Internet Addiction Test. The data were analysed in SPSS 23 software by running ANOVA, t-test, Pearson's correlation analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis.

RESULTS

The study revealed a significant correlation between how much time the participants spent on the internet, their age, and internet addiction. A positive statistically significant correlation was found between sexual health literacy and level of knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases (r = 0.355; p < .001). Sexual health literacy was not significantly correlated with internet addiction (r = 0.076; p > .05). The participants' level of knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases had a positive significant correlation with their internet addiction (r = 0.235; p < .001).

CONCLUSION

The findings of the present study indicated that the participants' level of knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases was correlated with their sexual health literacy and internet addiction. Nurses are recommended to teach adolescents about sexual health literacy, sexually transmitted diseases, and internet addiction and take part in interventions related to these issues.