Table 2 Clinical characteristics and background of students with and without health anxiety

SHAI score

30.05 (± 2.778)

15.17 (± 5.312)

t =  − 12.02

 < 0.0001*

Main section score

12.67 (± 4.805)

25.05 (± 3.274)

t =  − 10.94

 < 0.0001*

Negative consequences score

2.49 (± 1.908)

5.00 (± 2.517)

t =  − 5.256

 < 0.0001*

Previous higher education

0 (0%)

6 (3.5%)

χ² = 0.676

0.411

Retaken any years at university

0 (0%)

26 (14.9%)

χ² = 3.281

0.070

Taken years out from university

0 (0%)

4 (2.3%)

χ² = 0.446

0.504

Past history of medical conditions

5 (26.3%)

31 (17.8%)

χ² = 0.816

0.366

Past history of mental health problem

2 (10.5%)

4 (2.3%)

χ² = 3.849

0.050

Past history of medical or mental health problem contributed to the choice of college

3 (15.8%)

7 (4.0%)

χ² = 4.827

0.028*

Anyone close suffered from a serious health problem

11 (57.9%)

82 (47.1%)

χ² = 0.796

0.372