Neuropsychiatria i Neuropsychologia

Abstract

1-2/2022 vol. 17
Original paper

Health anxiety of Iranian medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Hadis Bahmaei 1
,
Maryam Beheshti Nasab 1
,
Mahmood Maniati 2
,
Poorandokht Afshari 3
,
Mohamad Hossein Haghighizadeh 4
  1. Nursing and Midwifery School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
  2. Medical School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
  3. Reproductive Health Promotion Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
  4. Health School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Neuropsychiatria i Neuropsychologia 2022; 17, 1–2: 115–121
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/nan.2022.117962
Online publish date: 2022/07/21
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Introduction

The aim of this study was to examine the health anxiety of medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.

Material and methods

We performed a descriptive study conducted on 600 students. The short form of the Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI-18) was completed by the students at the outset of the study, and one month later when the COVID-19 virus was named as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, the questionnaire was completed again by the same students, and their health anxiety was compared with that at the outset of the epidemic in Iran.

Results

Analysis of the first results of HAI-18 showed that 47% of the medical students had severe anxiety, and after one month and re-completion of the questionnaire by the same individuals, this rate rose to 84%, indicating a significant difference (p < 0.001). The general score of the students’ anxiety increased from 34.8 ±7.35 to 47.1 ±9.5 (p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed in students’ health anxiety scores in terms of gender, university faculties, and academic programs (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The increased health anxiety among medical students in Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic should be taken into serious consideration. Providing psychological and social support for students by focusing on their normal study routine can reduce their stress during the global coronavirus epidemic.

Keywords

health anxiety, medical students, COVID-19 pandemic

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