ASSOCIATION AND IMPACT OF SEVERAL RISK FACTORS OF INTERNET ADDICTION DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

Internet addiction seems to have become a tremendous issue around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic situation. This study intends to investigate the underlying components and their consequences on internet addiction. Our study included about 348 participants from university students of the southern part of Bangladesh. The sample was obtained via convenience sampling strategy. Univariate analysis comprised frequencies with percentages, Chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between variables. With the help of multinomial logistic regression, the effect of various risk factors was found simultaneously. Our evaluation will be designated to indicate that majority respondents are moderate and addicted internet users. This may also reveal the significant risk factors: preferred place of using internet (RRR = 0.222, CI = [0.061,0.0811]), time since first internet use (RRR = 0.211, CI = [0.056,0.799]). Moreover, mental health condition such as depression (p-value < 0.01), anxiety (p-value = 0.006), and stress (p-value = 0.034) indicated significant relationship with internet addiction. Based on our findings, we were able to identify risk factors that could aid in the reduction of internet addiction.