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Illness fears in the general population.
R Noyes1, A J Hartz, C C Doebbeling
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, USA. rnoyes@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu
Psychosomatic Medicine
|June 14, 2000
Summary
Fears of illness and medical care are common in adults. Lower socioeconomic status and prior illness experiences are linked to these fears, which can interfere with seeking medical help.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Medical Sociology
Background:
- Illness fears are not well understood in the general population.
- Assessing the prevalence and impact of these fears is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of illness fears in a community sample.
- To identify risk factors associated with these fears.
- To determine the morbidity and impact on medical care seeking.
Main Methods:
- A telephone survey was conducted with 500 adults aged 40-65 in Johnson County, Iowa.
- Respondents reported nervousness levels related to illness/injury and medical care items.
- Data on demographic, health characteristics, and interference with care were collected.
Main Results:
- Four dimensions of fear were identified: illness/injury, medical care, blood/needle, and aging/death.
- 5% reported significant illness/injury fears, with 4% experiencing interference in medical care.
- Illness/injury fears were more prevalent in individuals with lower income, education, and existing medical conditions.
Conclusions:
- Fears of illness and medical care are prevalent in the general population.
- Lower socioeconomic status and prior illness experiences are associated with heightened fears.
- Strong fears can lead to interference with necessary medical care.