Evaluation of cyberchondria level and affecting factors in health care workers and patients applying to the polyclinics of Van Yüzüncü Yil University Faculty of Medicine

Introduction: Cyberchondria is the condition of being excessively exposed to health-related information on the internet and experiencing extreme worry or anxiety resulting from this information. Cyberchondria is a condition that can negatively affect individuals' quality of life and health. Additionally, it is thought that it may lead to an increase in people's health applications and health expenditures. Aim: In our study; by determining cyberchondria levels and examining the influencing factors, we aim to develop appropriate intervention strategies to create safe health-related internet platforms, control sites that provide anxiety-increasing information, and review health information with all components. Method: We examined the Evaluation of Cyberchondria Level and Affecting Factors of Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Faculty of Medicine Health Care Workers and Patients Applying to Polyclinics, aged between 18-99, in the form of a survey form (CSS-12 and demographic information) between 17/06/2023-20/11/2023. Findings: 324 patients were included in the study. Participants included in the study; 148 (45.7%) were men and 176 (54.3%) were women. Their ages ranged from 18 years to 73 years, and the average age was 32.79±11.33. CSS-12; highest: 54 points, lowest: 12 points, average: 29.7±9.5 and median was 30. The two points where the number of people peaked were 30 and 36 respectively (there are two modes). Cyberchondria severity was not significant according to gender. Married individuals were found to be more anxious than single individuals. Young adults appear to be more prone to developing cyberchondria (mean age: 32.79±11.33). The time spent on the internet decreases as age increases, and the time spent on the internet (hours/day) was highest in the 30-40 age group. There was no relationship between education level and cyberchondria severity (CSS-12) and time spent on the internet (hours/day). However, with the high level of education, the rate of following safe health broadcasts and attending health meetings was high. Having a chronically ill family member did not increase the severity of cyberchondria. However, the rates of having tests without a doctor's recommendation and taking medication without a doctor's recommendation were high. For individuals with children under 18 years of age; Having had an examination without a doctor's recommendation in the last year, health monitoring on TV and item 11 (CSS-12) were found to be high. It was observed that Van YYU health workers used more medications and received more traditional medical treatment without physician recommendation. Contrary to the literature, the severity of cyberchondria was the same as the normal population level. Individuals who follow reliable health broadcasts and follow health broadcasts on TV have higher CSS-12 scores than individuals who do not follow them. Moreover; Those who bought products for medicine/treatment from places other than pharmacies also had high CSS-12 scores. Having a care-dependent/disabled person at home, smoking, and having a healthcare professional in the family were not found to be associated with the severity of cyberchondria. Result: It was observed that the level of cyberchondria was at a moderate level. Participants; Factors associated with high levels of cyberchondria include being married, being a young adult, following health publications, and purchasing medicines/products from places other than pharmacies. Awareness should be raised about cyberchondria. Support programs should be developed for people at risk of cyberchondria. The use of i-CBT in the treatment of cyberchondria should be expanded and health literacy should be increased. Keywords: Cyberchondria, Searching for health information on the Internet, Internet, i-CBT, CSS-12.