Health Anxiety Levels and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors of Çukurova University Medical Faculty Students

Objective: Medical students’ attitudes and behaviors are particularly important for themselves, their families and the society as the yare the health professionals of the future. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between health anxiety levels and healthy lifestyle behaviors of medical students in Cukurova University and there lated factors. Methods: The study population consisted of 1886 medical students in Cukurova University during the 2018-2019 academic year. The study sample consisted of 319 medical students. The students completed a Socio-demographic Data Form consisting of 24 questions, Health Anxiety Inventory (short version) consisting of 18 questions and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale consisting of 48 questions. Data was analyzed using SPSS 23.0 package program. Results: Of 319 students, 58.9% were female and 41.1% were male; the mean age was 21.5±2.1 years. The mean score of Health Anxiety inventory was 17.6±6.2. There was a significant relationship between self-perception of health and health anxiety (p=0.001). The total score of the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale was 120.1±18.1 out of 192 indicating a moderate level. The mean scores of subdimensions were 35.9±5.9 for self actualisation, 21.7±4.9 for health responsibility, 9.7±3.6 for physical activity, 15.2±3.6 for nutrition, 20.3 for interpersonal relationships, and 17.3 for stres management, respectively. The total scores of the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale and the mean scores of exercise and stress management subscales were higher in male students than female students. Conclusion: It was found out that the students did not have high levels of health anxiety and had moderate healthy lifestyle behavior levels. It was observed that students with increased levels of health anxiety had less healthy lifestyle behaviors. Students should be empowered about health promotion to enable them to have the ability for self-management.