Research Article

Examination of Health Literacy, Cyberchondria Severity, and Related Factors Among University Students

Volume: 9 Number: 1 April 25, 2026
TR EN

Examination of Health Literacy, Cyberchondria Severity, and Related Factors Among University Students

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to examine health literacy, cyberchondria severity, and related factors among university students. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study included 396 university students determined by ‘Random Sampling Method’. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Turkish Health Literacy Scale (THLS-32), and the Cyberchondria Severity Scale, through online and face-to-face methods. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26, and independent samples t-test and ANOVA were applied. Results: The mean score of THLS-32 was 35.16±8.37, and the the Cyberchondria Severity Scale mean score was 80.78±22.54. The THLS-32 scores of the students who evaluated their health as very good were significantly higher than those who evaluated it as fair or good across variables including self-rated health status, initial health behaviour when ill, number of doctor/hospital visits in the last year, and use of e-health applications and health institution websites (p<0.05). Significant differences in cybercondria were found according to initial health-seeking behavior, trust in online health information, non-prescription product use, medication use based on informal advice, and recommending drugs to others (p<0.05) Conclusion: It is essential to reduce health anxiety by allowing university students to read, understand, and use health information through education.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Supported by TUBITAK 2209-A University Students Research Projects Support Program. Project no: 1919B012218004

Project Number

1919B012218004

Ethical Statement

The Istanbul Gedik University Ethics Committee approved the research (Date: 17.01.2023, Meeting No: 2023/01, Decision No: 417). All participants were informed about the research, and their written informed consent was obtained. The authors obtained the necessary permissions to use the Turkish Health Literacy Scale (THLS-32) and the Cyberchondria Severity Scale.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Public Health Nursing, Fundamentals of Nursing

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 25, 2026

Submission Date

May 17, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 23, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 1

APA
Bakanoğlu Kalkavan, E., Özcan, A., Çelen, B., & Acar, H. N. (2026). Examination of Health Literacy, Cyberchondria Severity, and Related Factors Among University Students. Hemşirelik Bilimi Dergisi, 9(1), 81-95. https://doi.org/10.54189/hbd.1701386
AMA
1.Bakanoğlu Kalkavan E, Özcan A, Çelen B, Acar HN. Examination of Health Literacy, Cyberchondria Severity, and Related Factors Among University Students. Hemşirelik Bilimi Dergisi. 2026;9(1):81-95. doi:10.54189/hbd.1701386
Chicago
Bakanoğlu Kalkavan, Emek, Asude Özcan, Buse Çelen, and Hayriye Nur Acar. 2026. “Examination of Health Literacy, Cyberchondria Severity, and Related Factors Among University Students”. Hemşirelik Bilimi Dergisi 9 (1): 81-95. https://doi.org/10.54189/hbd.1701386.
EndNote
Bakanoğlu Kalkavan E, Özcan A, Çelen B, Acar HN (April 1, 2026) Examination of Health Literacy, Cyberchondria Severity, and Related Factors Among University Students. Hemşirelik Bilimi Dergisi 9 1 81–95.
IEEE
[1]E. Bakanoğlu Kalkavan, A. Özcan, B. Çelen, and H. N. Acar, “Examination of Health Literacy, Cyberchondria Severity, and Related Factors Among University Students”, Hemşirelik Bilimi Dergisi, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 81–95, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.54189/hbd.1701386.
ISNAD
Bakanoğlu Kalkavan, Emek - Özcan, Asude - Çelen, Buse - Acar, Hayriye Nur. “Examination of Health Literacy, Cyberchondria Severity, and Related Factors Among University Students”. Hemşirelik Bilimi Dergisi 9/1 (April 1, 2026): 81-95. https://doi.org/10.54189/hbd.1701386.
JAMA
1.Bakanoğlu Kalkavan E, Özcan A, Çelen B, Acar HN. Examination of Health Literacy, Cyberchondria Severity, and Related Factors Among University Students. Hemşirelik Bilimi Dergisi. 2026;9:81–95.
MLA
Bakanoğlu Kalkavan, Emek, et al. “Examination of Health Literacy, Cyberchondria Severity, and Related Factors Among University Students”. Hemşirelik Bilimi Dergisi, vol. 9, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 81-95, doi:10.54189/hbd.1701386.
Vancouver
1.Emek Bakanoğlu Kalkavan, Asude Özcan, Buse Çelen, Hayriye Nur Acar. Examination of Health Literacy, Cyberchondria Severity, and Related Factors Among University Students. Hemşirelik Bilimi Dergisi. 2026 Apr. 1;9(1):81-95. doi:10.54189/hbd.1701386