The Relationship Between Cyberchondria and Health Perception and Anxiety Level in Pregnant Women: A Cross-sectional Study

Pregnancy is a unique period in which women require extensive health information both to protect their own health and to prepare for motherhood. The literature indicates that pregnant women most frequently seek information on healthy nutrition, physical activity, fetal development, pregnancy symptoms, childbirth preparation, vaccination, and medication use. Although health professionals are considered reliable sources of information, due to limited accessibility, pregnant women often turn to the internet and social media. This increases the risk of exposure to inaccurate or incomplete information and may sometimes lead to cyberchondria. Moreover, during pregnancy, factors such as educational level, socioeconomic conditions, and family relationships contribute to the frequent occurrence of anxiety disorders, which can negatively affect the mother's quality of life and fetal development. Health perception, on the other hand, is an important concept that shapes individuals' health behaviors and responsibilities. However, studies examining the relationship between cyberchondria, anxiety levels, and health perception in pregnant women are limited. This study aims to reveal the relationship between health information-seeking behaviors, health perception, and anxiety levels in this special population of pregnant women.

NCT Number	NCT07192354
Lead Sponsor	Karabuk University
Conditions	Cyberchondria, Pregnancy
Enrollment	166 participants
Start Date	2025-10-27
Primary Completion	2025-12-30 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-01-30 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-05-28