The Relationship of E-health Literacy with Cyberchondria: A Cross-Sectional Study on Pregnant Women

Health literacy and cyberchondria are effective for pregnant women to make the right health decisions for themselves and their babies. The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between e-health literacy, cyberchondria, and the factors influencing them in pregnant women. The cross-sectional study was conducted on a population of pregnant women who were admitted to two public hospitals located in Samsun. A questionnaire form consisting of 3 sections was used as a data collection tool in the study.  Pregnancy information form, e-health literacy scale and cyberchondria scale. The study involved analysing 400 questionnaire forms. Data were analyzed by the frequency test, One Way ANOVA, correlation analysis and multiple regression. The study participants had a mean age of 28.53 ± 6.53. Among them, 60.3% were aged 19-29, 37.3% had an associate degree, 45.3% were pregnant for the first time, and 38.3% were in their second trimester. The mean pregnancy was 1.81 ± 10.63. In the study group, the mean e-health literacy was 3.27 ± 0.99, and the mean cyberchondria was 30.29 ± 9.78. The study found a statistically significant difference in e-health literacy and cyberchondria based on age, educational status, gestational week, and number of pregnancies. Additionally, there was a statistically significant positive relationship between health literacy and cyberchondria severity. The results of the study showed that the level of e-health literacy and cyberchondria of pregnant women was moderate, and that e-health literacy, age and education level would affect cyberchondria. Therefore, this problem can be prevented by providing digital health practices, e-health literacy and safe internet use training to pregnant women in health institutions and the media.