Social Determinants of Sexual Health in Men and Women: A Systematic Review of Evidence from ۲۰۱۵–۲۰۲۵

Background: Sexual health is a fundamental component of overall well-being and is strongly influenced by social determinants. Factors such as socioeconomic status, cultural beliefs, gender norms, social support, and access to healthcare shape sexual behaviors, health outcomes, and healthcare utilization among men and women. This systematic review aimed to identify and synthesize the evidence regarding social factors affecting sexual health. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases from January ۲۰۱۵ to November ۲۰۲۵. Keywords related to social factors and sexual health in men and women were used. Additional studies were identified through manual reference screening. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. Results: A total of ۹۷۴ records were identified, of which ۱۷۵ articles underwent full-text review. Following methodological evaluation and quality assessment, ۱۴ studies were included in the final narrative synthesis. The most frequently reported social determinants of sexual health included socioeconomic status and educational opportunities, gender norms and roles, cultural beliefs and stigmatization, social support networks, access to healthcare services, mental health status, and sexual health education. These factors influenced sexual behaviors, communication, healthcare-seeking patterns, and overall sexual well-being. Conclusion: