THE EFFECT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIA ON HEALTH ANXIETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE: THE CASE OF FEMALE STUDENTS OF FOREIGN NATIONALITY IN TURKEY

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the health anxiety and quality of life of female students of foreign nationality due to Covid-19 pandemia.The present study had a cross-sectional content analysisdesign.The Personal Information Form, Health Anxiety Scale, SF-36 Quality of Life Scale and Semi-Structured Interview Form were used as the data collection tools in the study.A total of 28 female students from Syria and Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Uganda, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Morocco, Indonesia, Sudan, Algeria, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan and Somalia are included in this research. The average age of the students was 21.9±2.1. All the students were single. A total of 71.4% of the students thought that they had moderate income, 46.4% had sufficient knowledge on Covid-19, and 28.6% thought they had Covid-19-originated symptoms. It was found in the study that the majority of students were constantly anxious about Covid-19 pandemia; and therefore, they tried to follow hygienic rules. As a result, it was determined that the Covid-19 pandemic negatively affected the health anxiety and quality of life of young people.