The relationship between Cyberchondria and Health Literacy among first year Nursing Students: the mediating effect of health anxiety.

Abstract

Background First-year nursing students are at a critical juncture in their education. They are transitioning from laypersons to healthcare professionals, students are frequently exposed to medical information both in academic settings and through personal research. This exposure can sometimes lead to cyberchondria, improving health literacy and managing health anxiety are key strategies in reducing the incidence of cyberchondria.Aim Investigate the mediating effect of health anxiety between Cyberchondria and Health Literacy among first year Nursing Students.Methods A descriptive correlational research design following STROBE guidelines used in this study. The study was conducted with 475 students in October 2023 during the first semester of the academic year 2023–2024.Results Cyberchondria and health literacy levels were both moderate. In addition, the degree of health anxiety among first year Nursing Students was moderate too. The results showed that the association between Cyberchondria and Health Literacy and cyberchondria is partially mediated by health anxiety .Conclusion This study highlights the sophisticated relationship between cyberchondria, health literacy, and health anxiety among first-year nursing students. It demonstrates that lower health literacy can lead to increased health anxiety, which in turn exacerbates cyberchondria. To mitigate these issues, it is essential to enhance health literacy and provide support for managing health anxiety within nursing education programs. By doing so, we can help nursing students effectively navigate online health information and reduce unnecessary health-related anxieties, promoting better educational outcomes and overall well-being.