Health anxiety levels and healthy lifestyle behaviors of Medical Students in Cukurova University

Health Anxiety Levels and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors of Medical Students in Cukurova University Background and Aim: University education gives the student not only the vocational education but also forms the basic characteristics of that individual including health behaviors and healthy lifestyle behaviors for health promotion. Medical students' attitudes and behaviors are particularly important for themselves, their families, and the society as they are the health professionals of the future. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between health anxiety levels and healthy lifestyle behaviors of medical students in Cukurova University and the related factors. Material and Methods: The study population consisted of 319 medical students in Cukurova University in 2018-2019 academic year. Socio-demographic Data Form consisting 24 questions, Health Anxiety Inventory (short version) consisting 18 questions and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale consisting 48 questions were used. Data was analyzed using SPSS 23.0 package program. Results: Of 319 students, 58.9% were female and 41.1% were male; the mean age was 21.5 ± 2.1 years. The mean score of Health Anxiety ınventory was 17.6 ± 6.2. There was a significant relationship between self-perception and health anxiety (p=0.0001). The total score of the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale was 120,1±18,1 out of 192. The mean scores of subdimensions were for self actualisation 35,9±5,9, health responsibility 21,7±4,9, physical activity 9,7±3,6, nutrition 15,2±3,6, interpersonal relationships 20,3, stress management 17,3, respectively. The total scores of the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale and the mean scores of exercise and stress management subscales were higher in male students than female students. Conclusion: It is good to find out that the students had no health anxiety and had moderate healthy lifestyle. It was found that students with increased level of health anxiety had less healthy lifestyle behavior. Students should be empowered about health promotion to enable them to have the ability for self-management. Keywords: Health anxiety, Healthy life, Medical School, Student, Family Medicine