The Relationship Between E-Health Literacy Level and Health Anxiety in Individuals with Chronic Illnesses

Aysun Kazak Saltı; Evin Nehir Yazan

doi:10.46332/aemj.1914672

The Relationship Between E-Health Literacy Level and Health Anxiety in Individuals with Chronic Illnesses

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between e-Health literacy levels and health anxiety in individuals with chronic diseases.

Materials and Methods: The sample of this cross-sectional study consisted of 117 individuals. Data were collected between September - November 2025 at a hospital in Mersin. The data were gathered using the “Individual Information Form (IIF)”, “e-Health Literacy Scale (e-HEALS)”, and the “Health Anxiety Scale (HAS)”. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA (with Bonferroni post-hoc test), Pearson correlation analysis, and simple linear regression analysis were used for data analysis.

Results: Among the participants, eHealth literacy was found to be negatively associated with age (p < 0.05) and positively associated with educational level (p < 0.01). No statistically significant differences were identified in terms of gender (p > 0.05). A considerable proportion of participants reported accessing health-related information through family members, social networks, and social media platforms. Moreover, no statistically significant relationship was found between e-Health literacy and health anxiety (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of evaluating eHealth literacy and health anxiety together in the context of chronic disease. The observed patterns suggest the need for interventions that support access to reliable health information while taking psychosocial factors into account, thereby providing guidance for healthcare professionals.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This research was supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkiye (TÜBİTAK) under the 2209-A University Student Research Projects Support Program (Number: 1919B012403683).

Project Number

1919B012403683

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Mersin University (December 11, 2024; approval number: 2024/1223), and institutional permission was obtained from Mersin University Hospital (January 2, 2025; permission number: E-41993462-622.02-2960092).

Thanks

This research was supported by TÜBİTAK under the 2209-A University Student Research Projects Support Program.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Internal Diseases

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Aysun Kazak Saltı ^*
0000-0001-7151-1391
Türkiye

Evin Nehir Yazan
0009-0003-2044-3183
Türkiye

Publication Date

August 31, 2026

Submission Date

March 23, 2026

Acceptance Date

June 30, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.46332/aemj.1914672

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA37BF67PU

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Kazak Saltı, A., & Yazan, E. N. (2026). The Relationship Between E-Health Literacy Level and Health Anxiety in Individuals with Chronic Illnesses. Ahi Evran Medical Journal, 10(2), 292-301. https://doi.org/10.46332/aemj.1914672

AMA

1.Kazak Saltı A, Yazan EN. The Relationship Between E-Health Literacy Level and Health Anxiety in Individuals with Chronic Illnesses. Ahi Evran Med J. 2026;10(2):292-301. doi:10.46332/aemj.1914672

Chicago

Kazak Saltı, Aysun, and Evin Nehir Yazan. 2026. “The Relationship Between E-Health Literacy Level and Health Anxiety in Individuals With Chronic Illnesses”. Ahi Evran Medical Journal 10 (2): 292-301. https://doi.org/10.46332/aemj.1914672.

EndNote

Kazak Saltı A, Yazan EN (August 1, 2026) The Relationship Between E-Health Literacy Level and Health Anxiety in Individuals with Chronic Illnesses. Ahi Evran Medical Journal 10 2 292–301.

IEEE

[1]A. Kazak Saltı and E. N. Yazan, “The Relationship Between E-Health Literacy Level and Health Anxiety in Individuals with Chronic Illnesses”, Ahi Evran Med J, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 292–301, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.46332/aemj.1914672.

ISNAD

Kazak Saltı, Aysun - Yazan, Evin Nehir. “The Relationship Between E-Health Literacy Level and Health Anxiety in Individuals With Chronic Illnesses”. Ahi Evran Medical Journal 10/2 (August 1, 2026): 292-301. https://doi.org/10.46332/aemj.1914672.

JAMA

1.Kazak Saltı A, Yazan EN. The Relationship Between E-Health Literacy Level and Health Anxiety in Individuals with Chronic Illnesses. Ahi Evran Med J. 2026;10:292–301.

MLA

Kazak Saltı, Aysun, and Evin Nehir Yazan. “The Relationship Between E-Health Literacy Level and Health Anxiety in Individuals With Chronic Illnesses”. Ahi Evran Medical Journal, vol. 10, no. 2, Aug. 2026, pp. 292-01, doi:10.46332/aemj.1914672.

Vancouver

1.Aysun Kazak Saltı, Evin Nehir Yazan. The Relationship Between E-Health Literacy Level and Health Anxiety in Individuals with Chronic Illnesses. Ahi Evran Med J. 2026 Aug. 1;10(2):292-301. doi:10.46332/aemj.1914672