Prevalence of cyberchondria among undergraduate students of a private degree college with Cyberchondria Severity Scale-12 in an urban area

Abstract

CONTEXT: With the digital revolution, the Internet has become a source of health-related searches. Cyberchondria is a behavioral disorder where repeated online health-related searches result in health anxiety. AIMS: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of cyberchondria among undergraduate degree college students. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was conducted among BSc Computer Science students at Sri Sathya Sai Baba Degree College, Anantapuramu, Andhra Pradesh, during July 2022. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A sample size of 160 was arrived using the formula 4pq/l2 with prevalence (P) as 55.6%, allowable error (l) as 15% of P, 10% nonresponse rate. Out of 220 students, 160 were selected by simple random sampling method. Data were collected through self-administered Cyberchondria Severity Scale-12 questionnaire with a Likert scale scoring of 0–4. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: K-means cluster analysis was performed to assess the prevalence of cyberchondria and people at risk to develop cyberchondria. RESULTS: The study involved 57% of females and 43% of males. The prevalence of cyberchondria was 22.5% with excessiveness (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 3.36 ± 2.091) being the dominant construct followed by distress, compulsion, and reassurance (Mean ± SD: 2.48 ± 2.493). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that cyberchondria is an emerging problem among undergraduate students and emphasis has to be laid on health education regarding the reliability of health information.

Keywords

• cyberchondria
• health anxiety
• health-related searches