Health Anxiety and Factors Affecting it in Housewives During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Objective:

 This study aims to investigate the health anxiety of housewives in Hormozgan, Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its related factors.

Methods:

 In this descriptive-analytical study with a cross-sectional design, participants were 258 housewives from Hormozgan Province who were selected using a convenience sampling method. The instrument used in this study was a demographic form and the Short Health Anxiety Inventory with three dimensions (illness likelihood, body vigilance, and the perceived negative consequences of becoming ill). SPSS v. 21 software was used to analyze the data.

Results:

 The mean age of housewives was 35.77±8.81 years. Their mean score of health anxiety was 20.26±6.61. The level of health anxiety in 68.6% of housewives was high. Based on the results of multiple regression analysis, physical activity, chronic illness, and household economic status were significant predictors of health anxiety.

Conclusion:

 In order to reduce the health anxiety of housewives during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is recommended to encourage housewives to increase their physical activity, and the government should provide financial support to low-income families.