ASSOCIATION OF INSOMNIA WITH EXCESSIVE INTERNET USE AMONG PHYSICAL THERAPY STUDENTS IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Purpose: Objective of this study was to determine the association of insomnia with excessive internet use among physical therapy students in Lahore, Pakistan.
 Methodology: It was an analytical cross sectional study which was completed in 6 months duration. Sample size of 220 male and female students were taken by non-probability convenient sampling technique from four private universities of Lahore, Pakistan. Insomnia severity Index and Internet Addiction Test used to measure the degree of insomnia and internet addiction among participants. The variables were measured in categorical form and chi square test used to establish the association between the variables.
 Findings: Out of 69 average online users, 31(44.9%) were not having significant insomnia, 29(42%) with sub threshold insomnia, 8(11.6%) with moderate insomnia, and 1(1.4%) with severe insomnia. Out of 113 participants with occasional problems, 26(19.5%) were not having significant insomnia, 29(21.8%) with sub threshold insomnia, 55(41.4%) with moderate insomnia, and 23(17.3%) with severe insomnia. Insomnia and internet addiction were significantly associated and there was a strong positive relationship between the variables.
 Recommendations: It was recommended that more studies should be done with larger sample size. Experimental studies should also be done on this topic. It was also recommended that Internet usage in university students should be restricted and monitored by the authorities like parents, hostel wardens etc. This could minimize the incidence of insomnia among students. This could improve the academic performance of students and also be helpful in improving their quality of life. Students should only use internet when required.