The Relationship between Online Search on Health Information, Uncertainty, and Cyberchondria among Students

Online health information seeking can be related to several factors. The present study was conducted to underline the importance of two factors of uncertainty and cyberchondria.

This study was a descriptive survey in which the study population consisted of students of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran, from different academic levels. A sample of 358 individuals was selected and 286 individuals participated in the study. The data collection instruments included three questionnaires whose reliability was recalculated in this study. The online health information seeking questionnaire with alpha of 0.81, uncertainty with 0.85, and cyberchondria with 0.86.

Findings showed that the average of online health information seeking among males was higher than in females (the difference was significant). Besides, MD and master students had a higher average than others. There was no significant difference in the mean of uncertainty and cyberchondria in terms of gender and academic levels. There was a significant relationship between online search for health information, uncertainty, and cyberchondria. Using regression, it was found that uncertainty and cyberchondria were the predictors of online search for health information.

Uncertainty and skepticism about information, as well as anxiety about facing health information (cyberchondria) increase students' online health information seeking.