Sexual and Reproductive Health Literacy among Junior High School Students: Evidence from Surakarta, Indonesia

Background and Objectives: Cases of early marriage and sexual violence remain prevalent in Indonesia, highlighting the urgent need for adolescents to possess adequate sexual and reproductive health literacy (SRHL). Junior high school students should have too to prevent risky sexual behaviors, such as premarital or casual sex. However, limited research has examined Indonesian adolescents’ perspectives and understanding of SRHL, and factors influencing the literacy levels. This study aimed to investigate the level of SRHL among junior high school students in Surakarta and to analyze the factors that influence it.Material and Methods: An ex post facto survey was conducted in ۲۰۲۳ involving ۴۴۷ students aged ۱۳–۱۵ years from eight schools representing the diversity of Indonesia’s school system (public, private, Islamic, and Catholic). Schools were purposively selected to ensure proportional representation, and students were randomly chosen. Data were collected through an online questionnaire consisting: demographic information, a ۵۱-item knowledge test, and a ۴۷-item attitude scale. Instrument validity and reliability were confirmed through expert judgment and field testing. Eta correlation was applied for nominal variables (age, gender, and school type), while Pearson’s correlation was used to analyze relationships between interval variables (knowledge and attitude). SRHL levels were categorized as inadequate, problematic, sufficient, or excellent.Results: Of the total participants, ۵۳.۲% demonstrated a sufficient level of SRHL, ۱۹.۷% were excellent, ۲۵.۵% problematic, and ۱.۶% inadequate. Weak correlations were found between SRHL and both age (η² = ۰.۲۰۱) and school type (η² = ۰.۳۴۹), while gender showed no significant relationship (η² = ۰.۰۹۹). Knowledge and attitude showed strong positive correlations with SRHL (R = ۰.۵۲۴ and R = ۱.۰۰۰, respectively).Conclusion: Most junior high school students in Surakarta demonstrated sufficient SRHL. Knowledge and attitude were found to be strongly and positively associated with sexual and reproductive health literacy levels.

کلیدواژه ها:

Junior High School Student ، knowledge and attitude ، Survey ، School Type