Assessment of Nurses' Health Anxiety and Attitudes Towards Cancer Screenings: A Cross‐Sectional and Analytical Study

AIM: Nurses' health anxiety and their attitudes towards cancer screenings are interrelated. While high health anxiety shapes risk perception and health behaviours, negative attitudes towards screenings may create barriers to early diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to examine nurses' health anxiety and attitudes towards cancer screenings. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted with 310 nurses working in a university hospital. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Health Anxiety Inventory and Attitude Scale Towards Cancer Screenings. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine predictors of health anxiety. RESULTS: The mean score on the Attitude Scale Towards Cancer Screenings was 78.7 ± 13.6, and the Health Anxiety Inventory mean score was 15.8 ± 6.3. Subscale averages were 13.1 ± 5.1 for Excessive Sensitivity to Somatic Symptoms and Anxiety, and 2.6 ± 2.0 for Negative Consequences of Disease. Regression analysis indicated that the duration of employment in the current hospital and attitudes towards cancer screenings significantly predicted health anxiety (F = 8.0, p < 0.001), explaining 15.1% of the variance. CONCLUSION: Health anxiety and attitudes towards cancer screenings were significantly associated among nurses. The duration of employment and screening attitudes were identified as predictors of health anxiety.