Relationship between digital health literacy, distrust in the health system and health anxiety in health sciences students

Health anxiety is frequently observed in university students in all segments of society. Health anxiety is also frequently encountered in health sciences students, who will play the most effective role in developing and protecting public health in the future. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationships between digital health literacy, distrust in health systems, and health anxiety and the effects of these two factors on health anxiety in students studying health sciences. The cross-sectional study population comprised students from the Health Sciences departments at Kutahya Health Sciences University during the 2024-2025 academic year. The study data were collected using a questionnaire form prepared online for the students studying in these departments. A total of 752 questionnaire forms were analyzed. The average age of the students who participated in the study was 21.42 ± 1.68 years, and 71% of the students were female. A total of 15.16% of the students were studying in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, and 97.47% of them accessed the Internet via mobile phones. According to the correlation analysis, there was a positive correlation between health anxiety and distrust in health systems and a negative correlation between health anxiety and digital health literacy. According to the multiple regression analysis results, digital health literacy and distrust in health systems explained 21.9% of the change in health anxiety. As a result, health anxiety decreases significantly as the level of digital health literacy increases. Therefore, it is recommended that students studying in these departments receive continuous education on digital health.