The Relationship betwen Cyberchondria and Health Anxiety and COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviours: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: This study aims to determine the relationship between cyberchondria and health anxiety in society and COVID-19 information, attitudes, and behaviors. Method: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted by face-to-face interviews with 600 subjects. The dependent variable of the study was the COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitude and Behaviour Scale (CKABS). For univariate analyses, the t-test, ANOVA, and linear regression analysis were used for further analyses. Results: The mean CKABS score was 80.67±13.14, Cyberchondria Severity Scale score was 39.55±08.30, and Health Anxiety Scale score was 12.79±11.96. According to the linear regression analysis performed with the Backward method, the CKABS score of individuals in the lower class who had poor general health perception, did not take precautions against COVID-19, did not pay attention to hygiene during the COVID-19 process, had not received both types of COVID-19 vaccine, had COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, and did not want to receive COVID-19 vaccine for religious reasons were significantly lower. In addition, as the number of children increases, health concerns increase, and the COVID-19 vaccination rate decreases, the COVID-19 knowledge, attitude, and behaviour score decreases (p<0.05). Conclusion: In the study, health anxiety and cyberchondria levels were found to be low, and CKABS score was found to be high. Priority should be given to vulnerable groups within society to increase their knowledge, attitudes, and behavior regarding COVID-19, and to reduce vaccine hesitancy and health anxiety.