Exploring t he Relationship Between “COVID-19” Experiences and People’s Health Anxiety: Evidence from the Third Wave of COVID-19

ABSTRACT The current study aims to explore and investigate the relationship between the experiences of COVID-19 and health anxiety among people. The study design adopted in this study was cross-sectional and primary data were collected from 500 respondents through a structured questionnaire in District Mardan-Pakistan. Bivariate and Multivariate analyses were carried out for measuring the relationship between “COVID-19” experiences and health anxiety, while cause and effects of the mentioned variables were analysed through a logistic regression model. The findings of the study revealed that the prevalence of health anxiety was found highly significant with the “COVID-19” experience. It has been inferred from the study’s findings that those people who experienced “COVID-19” had symptoms of health anxiety. The prevalence of health anxiety was found highly significant with “COVID-19” among older people. Establishing psychological and rehabilitation centres for sustained recovery of the “COVID-19” affected people, has also been suggested.