Prevalence and pattern of internet addiction among medical students in Nagpur, Maharashtra

Abstract

Background: Internet has become an integral part of our life and internet addiction is a growing problem affecting many spheres of our lives. Considering the potential negative effects of internet addiction on health this study aims to study the prevalence and pattern of Internet addiction among medical students by using Internet Addiction Test in Nagpur.Methods: The cross‑sectional study was conducted in 488 medical students in year 2016. Data was collected by using semi structured proforma including socio-demographic variables and Young’s 20-item Internet Addiction Test (IAT) questionnaire. Statistical analysis done by Epi info 7.1 and SPSS (20).Results: Prevalence of internet addiction by using Young’s original criteria was 3.68%. Internet addiction was significantly more common in males than females (p<0.05). This study reveals that according to IAT score, (61.47%) were average users, (34.83%) were possible addicts and (3.68%) were addicts. Chi square test is applied between average users and addicts, was found to be statistically significant (p<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in the mean of total IAT scores between male and female students (p=0.27) and F statistics is applied between mean value of three groups (i.e. Average users, Possible addict and addict) was found to be statistically significant (<0.0001).Conclusions: Prevalence of internet addiction was 3.68% with male predominance indicate that internet addiction is growing problem. Prevalence of possible addict was also alarming which was 34.83%. Early recognition of internet addiction and appropriate preventive measures should be taken.