Our University operated a multi-component system in 2025 to protect and improve students’ sexual and reproductive health. This system included access to primary health care, referral to specialist health services when necessary, access to advanced women’s health and urology services, psychological counselling, academic education on sexual and reproductive health, and awareness-raising and information activities. The University’s approach is not limited to providing treatment after a health problem occurs; it also focuses on enabling students to access accurate health information, develop preventive health behaviours, learn about sexually transmitted infections, family planning, safer sexual practices, reproductive rights, and disorders of the reproductive system, and be referred to appropriate healthcare institutions when needed.
The principal institutional mechanism in this area is the Medico-Social Centre operating under the Department of Health, Culture and Sports. The University’s official information on health services for 2025 clearly states that University students can benefit from the primary healthcare services provided by the Medico-Social Centre. Students are able to consult physicians and healthcare personnel at the Centre, and when further examination or treatment is required, they are referred or directed to the appropriate healthcare institution. In addition, as of 22 September 2025, healthcare services began to be provided every weekday at the infirmary located in the main building of the Department of Health, Culture and Sports, and students were informed that they could make appointments through the online system. Thus, an institutional access mechanism exists through which students can consult healthcare professionals on campus and, where necessary, be referred to more advanced healthcare services.
Evidence: https://www.ktu.edu.tr/sks/saglikhizmetleri
https://www.ktu.edu.tr/sks/duyuru/sks-saglik-hizmetleri-hakkinda-duyuru
The Medico-Social Centre is identified as the first point of contact for students’ basic health needs, and it is stated that students are referred to relevant healthcare institutions when further examination or treatment is required. The same official source also states that individual and group psychological counselling, guidance supporting students’ social and emotional development, and referral services where necessary are provided free of charge to all students. This structure demonstrates that an institutional support mechanism is in place through which students can obtain initial assessment, counselling, and referral to appropriate specialist services for sensitive health-related issues, including sexual and reproductive health concerns.
Evidence: https://surdurulebilirlik.ktu.edu.tr/sks/saglikhizmetleri
In 2025, our University also carried out information and awareness activities open to all students on women’s health and cancer prevention, which are important components of sexual and reproductive health. On 23 October 2025, the Women and Family Studies Application and Research Centre of our University organised a “Breast Health Awareness Panel”, and all students were explicitly invited to participate. During the panel, specialist healthcare professionals discussed the signs and risk factors of breast cancer, the importance of early diagnosis, and screening methods, with students also participating in the event. Thus, health information was not restricted to students studying in health-related disciplines but was made available as an awareness service for the broader student community of the University.
Evidence: https://www.ktu.edu.tr/kadinarastirmalari/etkinlik/meme-sagligi-farkindalik-paneli
In addition, on 24 November 2025, a programme entitled “Cancer Screening in Women’s Diseases” was broadcast through KTÜ Radio/TV. A faculty member from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the Faculty of Medicine provided information on current screening methods for cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers. The programme addressed in detail the transmission of HPV, the role of HPV in cervical cancer, the protective effect of HPV vaccination, HPV testing, and early diagnosis. This radio and television content represents another institutional information service supporting access to reliable and expert-based health information closely related to sexual and reproductive health for members of the University community, including students.
In 2025, our University also carried out activities aimed at improving access to accurate information on HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections. During an AIDS awareness activity organised by Faculty of Medicine students in December 2025, scientific information was provided on the routes of HIV/AIDS transmission, prevention methods, and treatment processes. The activity also aimed to eliminate misconceptions and reduce stigma. Although the activity had a broader community-oriented dimension, it is also an important indicator of the University’s sexual health education ecosystem, demonstrating that students actively use and disseminate evidence-based sexual health knowledge and that the University promotes education and awareness regarding HIV/AIDS.
Evidence: https://www.ktu.edu.tr/med/haber/fakultemiz-ogrencileri-aidse-karsi-farkindalik-etkinligi-duzenledi
The University’s 2025 activities also demonstrate the dissemination of preventive health information regarding cervical cancer and reproductive system health. On 13 January 2025, the KASIS Student Club of the Faculty of Medicine, in cooperation with Farabi Hospital and KETEM, organised an awareness activity entitled “Cervical Cancer and Prostate Cancer.” Informational materials were provided on the symptoms of these diseases, ways to reduce risk, the importance of regular check-ups, and early diagnosis. This activity demonstrates the University’s continuing efforts throughout 2025 to improve health literacy related to the prevention and early diagnosis of cancers affecting the reproductive system.
In conclusion, our University provided students with a multi-layered system of access to sexual and reproductive health services in 2025. Students could access primary healthcare through the on-campus Medico-Social Centre and be referred to specialist healthcare institutions when necessary, while specialist units such as Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Urology at Farabi Hospital provided advanced assessment and treatment capacity. In addition, structured education on family planning, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, safer sexual practices, and sexual and reproductive rights was provided through the “Sexuality and Reproductive Health” course. Awareness panels open to all students and KTÜ Radio/TV broadcasts also provided access to reliable information on breast health, HPV, cervical cancer, and women’s reproductive health. Taken together, these mechanisms demonstrate that our University provides students with sexual and reproductive health support that integrates access to healthcare, referral, counselling, information, and education services.
