Exploring Sexual Health and Well-Being in Rural Areas: A Systematic Literature Review with Case Study from Indonesia.

OBJECTIVES

Sexual health remain a significant challenge in rural Indonesia, driven by limited access to education, health, logistics, communication, and the lack of public policies in prioritizing sexual health. To see the multifaceted challenges, a holistic approach to sexual and reproductive health is a key strategy for improving sexual health and well-being. This systematic review aims to explore all research on sexual health and sexual well-being in rural Indonesia so that it can provide a comprehensive picture of the conditions and challenges faced by rural communities related to these aspects.

METHOD: The study retrieved relevant literature from the Scopus database following the PRISMA guidelines with Watase Uake Tools. A total of 124 studies were identified, with 28 studies meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The review spans a decade of research from 2015 to 2025, incorporating multidisciplinary perspectives across psychology, health, public policy, and sociology.

RESULTS

This systematic literature review groups several sexual health problems that occur in rural Indonesia, such as early marriage, multiple marriages, sexual harassment, premarital sex, risky sexual behavior, sexual violence, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV/AIDS, sexual dysfunction, gender inequality, reproductive health, sexual well-being, pornography use, and sexual health education with policy about sexual health in indonesia such as HPV vaccine in Indonesia, sexual and reproductive health education, early marriage in Indonesia, sexual violence in Indonesia.

CONCLUSION

With the information obtained, researchers, scientists, and practitioners working on sexual health issues can better understand the specific dynamics that affect rural communities. This includes understanding the cultural, social, and economic factors that influence sexual health and assessing the effectiveness of various interventions that have been implemented.