Sexual and Reproductive Health Literacy and Service Utilization Among Young People in Southwest Nigeria

Young people encounter numerous health challenges, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH) problems. Poor SRH literacy plays a key role in young people's risky sexual behavior, which can lead to untoward SRH-related health outcomes.

This study assessed the level of SRH literacy and SRH service utilization among in-school and out-of-school young people in Osun state, southwest Nigeria.

A descriptive cross-sectional study among 1,096 young people aged 15-24 in two universities and one community in Osun state. Respondents were selected using a multi-stage sampling process. A structured questionnaire incorporating the health literacy questionnaire (HLQ) was used to collect data, which was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

The mean age was 19.0 ± 2.6 years; about half (56.5%) were females, while about one-third (35.2%) were sexually experienced. The mean literacy score was 56.6 ± 17.2, and 79.5% had low SRH literacy levels. Only 12.9% utilized any SRH-related care or service. SRH information and counselling were the most utilized services (78.7%), while the least was cervical cancer screening (11,4%). A lower SRH literacy score was significantly associated with being out of school (P < .001) and non-use of SRH services (P < .001). Respondents with good literacy levels were three times more likely to have accessed and utilized SRH care and services (OR: 3.08, 95% CI: 1.99-4.76).

The respondents had a low SRH literacy level, which was associated with poor utilization of SRH services. Appropriate interventions are required to improve SRH literacy levels in the study setting.