pone.0325791.t004 -

BackgroundPromoting health literacy is a successful intervention for cyberchondriasis and health anxiety. However, no study has examined how cyberchondria, health anxiety, and health literacy are interrelated.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of cyberchondria among primary healthcare patients in Saudi Arabia and examine the relationship between cyberchondria and health anxiety and the mediating role of health literacy in this relationship.MethodsThis cross-sectional study involved 422 participants from all over Saudi Arabia’s five regions, specifically from primary healthcare centers. Data were collected between August 1, 2024 to September 1, 2024.ResultsAge, sex, marital status, nationality, region, place of residence, social media use, and Internet use were significantly associated with cyberchondria health literacy and health anxiety (p ConclusionsCyberchondria is interrelated with other variables such as demographic characteristics and behavioral patterns. They highlighted the significance of interventions directed at enhancing health literacy to curtail cyberchondria and reduce health anxiety. The present findings suggest that cyberchondria manifests in many different ways, making it a complex phenomenon. It also helps us to understand how the patient may become an active partner rather than a passive recipient in his/her own care.