Factors associated with cyberchondria in Peruvian medical students: an analytical cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Cyberchondria is defined as increased anxiety or distress after excessive or repeated searching for health-related information on the Internet. No studies have been found that explore the factors associated with cyberchondria in Hispanic medical students. The objective was to determine the factors associated with cyberchondria in medical students from a Peruvian university in 2018. Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with 657 medical students from a private Peruvian university. The students responded to a survey in which information about cyberchondria levels was collected using the Cyberchondria Severity Scale - 12. Linear Regression was used to calculate the betas with 95 % confidence intervals. Results: The mean cyberchondria score was 25,1±9,1. An association between cyberchondria and the year of study was evidenced (p<0,001), with the second year reporting the highest scores and the sixth year reporting the lowest. Likewise, students with a first-degree medical relative reported lower levels (p=0,01). A weak inverse correlation with age was evidenced (p<0,001). No association was found with sex, place of birth, smoking or having a first-degree relative that is a health worker. Conclusions: It was found that age, year of studies, and having a first-degree medical relative were associated with cyberchondria. Further studies are needed, especially of a longitudinal nature.