Determining Relationship Between Headache and Cyberchondria Levels in University Students with Headache

Abstract

Background: University students may experience various health problems throughout their education life. One of the most common health problems faced by students is headache. Today, university students use the internet extensively to access information. Therefore, it is predicted that university students with headaches may tend to search for health information on the internet. Purpose of the Study: In this study, it was aimed to determine the relationship between headache and cyberchondria levels of university students with headache. Method: A questionnaire form was used to collect data in the descriptive study. The questionnaire form included Socio-demographic form, Cyberchondria Scale, Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The study data were obtained from the Vocational School of Health Services of a University in Konya. 225 volunteers whose headaches lasted more than 30 minutes were included in the study. Independent sample t-test was used for pairwise comparisons, and one-way analysis of variance was used to compare more than two groups. Correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between scales. Findings: Headache impact levels (60.19±7.99) and pain severity (6.75±1.88) of the participants were high. Headache impact level and severity of female students were higher than males (p<0.05). In the study, a positive correlation was found between impact (p<0,01, r=0,269) and severity of headache (p<0,01, r=0,216) and the level of cyberchondria. Conclusion: Increase in headache in university students increased the level of cyberchondria. Therefore, there is a need for approaches to reduce headaches in order to reduce students' cyberchondria level. It is recommended to increase the social activities that can help reduce the stress levels and headaches of the students, and to increase the number of elective courses with physical activities.