The effect of cyberchondria on genital hygiene behaviors: a cross-sectional study.

Authors

Fatma Başaran, Hasret Yalçin

Published in

BMC women's health. Jul 04, 2026. Epub Jul 04, 2026.

Abstract

Cyberchondria may influence women's health-related behaviors by shaping how they search for and interpret online health information. This study aimed to examine the effect of cyberchondria levels on genital hygiene behaviors in women of reproductive age.
This cross-sectional study was conducted with 366 women aged 15-49 years registered at a family health center. Data were collected using a Demographic Information Form, the Genital Hygiene Behaviors Scale (GHBS), and the Cyberchondria Severity Scale Short Form (CSS-12). Descriptive statistics, Student's t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis were used in the analysis of the data.
The mean total GHBS score of the participants was 87.28 ± 10.20; the CSS-12 score was 32.19 ± 9.35. Regression analysis showed that the excessiveness and reassurance-seeking subdimensions of cyberchondria were significant positive predictors of genital hygiene behaviors, while the anxiety subdimension was a significant negative predictor (p < 0.001). Although the overall cyberchondria score showed a weak positive correlation with genital hygiene behaviors, it was determined that age may play a more significant role in explaining genital hygiene behaviors.
Our findings indicate a limited association between cyberchondria and genital hygiene behaviors. However, they suggest that age and related life experiences may be more significant determinants of these behaviors. Genital hygiene behaviors are more influenced by sociodemographic factors such as education, income level, and access to hygiene education. Cyberchondria is not a strong predictor on its own and should be evaluated in conjunction with other individual factors.

PMID:
42401865
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 05 Jul 2026.

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