Table 2 Factor loadings, item analysis, and the item total correlations for the 40 items on the SHELA scale (N = 305)

1. I can get information about sex education in childhood and adolescence from various sources

.349

.368

.586

4.21

(.831)

.720

.981

2. I can get information about communicable diseases

from different sources

.397

.319

.641

4.18

(.880)

.754

.980

3. I can get information about sexual problems and disorders

in men and women from different sources

.412

.265

.731

4.15

(.868)

.781

.980

4. I can find information about factors affecting sexual relations such as diseases, interpersonal conflicts, marital problems, and complications of the medications taken from various sources

.370

.249

.742

(4.08)

.946

.753

.980

5. I can obtain information on various methods of pregnancy prevention from various sources

.446

.300

.616

4.22

(.900)

.762

.980

6. I can get information about the types of treatment s of Sexual dysfunctions in women and men from different sources

.353

.244

.785

4.03

(1.01)

.761

.980

7. I can get information about sex in old age from various sources

.307

.221

.761

4.00

(.998)

.706

.981

8. It is easy for me to read about sex education (books, booklets, pamphlets, educational and promotional brochures) during childhood and adolescence

.391

.327

.567

4.00

(.972)

.717

.981

9. It is easy for me to read educational materials related to couples' sexual relations and the factors that affect them

.727

.274

.409

4.17

(.859)

.822

.980

10. It is easy for me to read educational materials related to sexually transmitted diseases

.680

.278

.402

4.15

(.895)

.790

.980

11. It is easy for me to read educational materials related to various methods of contraception

.744

.333

.389

4.25

(.828)

.853

.980

12. It is easy for me to read educational materials related to the treatment of sexual dysfunctions in men and women

.756

.228

.398

4.15

(.907)

.806

.980

13. It is easy for me to read educational materials related to couples' sexual relations in old age

.686

.150

.487

4.09

(.929)

.765

.980

14. If I have a sexual problem and consult a specialist or counselor, it is easy for me to read the written instructions given about my problem

.751

.313

.368

4.16

(.883)

.836

.980

15. If I have a sexual problem and refer to a specialist or counselor, it is easy for me to read the guidelines (preparation before tests, pelvic exams, ultrasound, or urogenital examinations)

.739

.410

.320

4.21

(.833)

.858

.980

16. I can understand the issues related to the sexual education and training of children and adolescents

.699

.294

.366

4.20

(.846)

.790

.980

17. I can understand the issues related to improving the couple's sexual relations

.766

.436

.288

4.27

(.822)

.872

.980

18. I understand the issues related to the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases

.728

.440

.318

4.27

(.822)

.867

.980

19. I understand the issues related to improving sexual relations in old age

.701

.359

.362

4.13

(.899)

.828

.980

20. In case of sexual problems and referring to a specialist and counselor, I will understand the explanations that she gives me about my problem

.702

.463

.270

4.26

(.841)

.835

.980

21. In case of sexual problems and referral, I will understand the meaning and concept of the contents written in the relevant forms such as patient admission form, consent, and file formation

.756

.369

.305

4.20

(.852)

.837

.980

22. In case of sexual problems and referral for treatment, I will understand the meaning and concept of the symptoms and the contents written on the signboards in the relevant clinics

.690

.412

.333

4.15

(.851)

.835

.980

23. In case of sexual problems and prescribing medicine, I will understand how to use the medicine that is written on the package

.691

.450

.273

4.24

(.882)

.824

.980

24. In case of sexual problems and receiving treatment or advice, I will understand its advantages and disadvantages

.687

.449

.285

4.24

(.839)

.827

.980

25. I realize the harms of doing things like watching immoral movies, drinking alcohol, smoking, and having extra-marital sex on my sexual health

.675

.517

.263

4.31

(.811)

.846

.980

26. I believe in the accuracy of the information I get about sex through various sources

.157

.478

.574

3.84

(1.04)

.649

.981

27. I can evaluate the accuracy of sexual health information provided on the Internet

.245

.483

.599

3.88

(.970)

.732

.980

28. I can evaluate the accuracy of sexual health information provided by television, radio, and satellite networks

.306

.435

.580

3.95

(.981)

.733

.980

29. I can pass on the information I have learned about sexual health to others correctly

.262

.240

.265

4.05

(1.99)

.426

.984

30. As soon as I realize a sexual problem or disorder, I know where or to whom I should go

.388

.614

.386

4.03

(.993)

.782

.980

31. If I have a sexual problem, I follow the treatment recommendations such as taking medicine for one hour before sexual intercourse

.237

.620

.386

4.05

(.958)

.688

.981

32. In the case of a sexual problem, I will not discontinue the techniques recommended for resolving my sexual problem without the counselor's permission, even if my sexual problem is gone

.336

.681

.276

4.08

(.944)

.730

.980

33. If my spouse has a sexual problem, I will go with him for sexual counseling

.356

.679

.291

4.14

(.939)

.749

.980

34. Even if I do not have a sexual problem, I go to a sex counselor to get an education and improve the quality of sex with my spouse

.190

.703

.267

3.63

(1.13)

.640

.981

35. If I have any questions about my sexual health, I will ask the relevant counselor

.314

.753

.296

4.01

(.993)

.769

.980

36. I take care of my sexual health in any situation

.385

.707

.289

4.06

(.948)

.779

.980

37. In any situation, I take care of the quality of sex with my spouse

.348

.744

.256

4.08

(.979)

.761

.980

38. I avoid asking for sex if my spouse is not physically and mentally ready (sexual coercion)

.438

.643

.192

4.13

(.938)

.727

.980

39. When having sex with my spouse, I pay attention to human values such as maintaining dignity, mutual respect, observing moral standards, and so on

.526

.650

.215

4.26

(.887)

.800

.980

40. I usually use the information I get from various sources about sexual health

.442

.661

.297

4.18

(.871)

.798

.980

Eigenvalue

24.8

1.80

1.69

Variance (%)

62.10

4.50

4.24

Total variance (%)

70.85

Cronbach α

0.981

Scale mean (SD)

164.66 (29.13)