Abstract
Background: Despite the growing epidemic of problematic Internet use (PIU), little information is available on PIU and related factors in Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 4261 university students among 13universities throughout the country in 2017. The data collection tool included demographic characteristics, the status of using the Internet, social media, computer games, tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs, suicide ideation and attempt, and unprotected sex. PIU was measured using the15-item PIU questionnaire. The status of general health was evaluated using the 28-item general health questionnaire (GHQ) questionnaire. The simple and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to measure the crude and adjusted associations between various factors and PIU. Results: Of 4261 university students, 55.9% were female, 13.5% were smokers, 4.9% were drug abusers, 7.9% were alcohol abusers, 7.8% had unprotected sex in the past year, 7.4%had suicidal ideation in the past month, 1.7% had attempted suicide in the past year, and27.3% suffered from PIU. Only 61.1% had normal health. In contrast, 30.9%, 7.2%, and 0.8%had mild, moderate, and severe general health problems, respectively. There were significant relationships between PIU and age group 20-24 vs. <20 years (odds ratio [OR]=1.39; 95% CI:1.06, 1.82), single vs, married (OR=2.57; 95% CI: 1.85, 3.57), suicidal attempt (OR=2.77;95% CI: 1.47, 5.19), using online games (OR=1.31; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.60), and poor general health (OR=12.14; 95% CI: 4.53, 32.54). Conclusion: Nearly one-third of medical sciences students suffered from PIU. This unhealthy behavior was associated with poor general health and elevated risk of suicidal behaviors. This health-threatening behavior provides an early warning signal that deserves special attention, otherwise, it may threaten both college students’ health and function.
Highlights
The Internet is a very complex and revolutionary invention that has altered positively and negatively many aspects of real human life worldwide
Of the 4261 university students who participated in the study, 2379 (55.9%) were female, 575 (13.5%) were used tobacco in the past month, 210 (4.9%) were used illicit drugs in the past month, 334 (7.9%) were used alcoholic drinks in the past month, 332 (7.8%) had unprotected sex in the past year, 313 (7.4%) had suicidal ideation in the past month, 74 (1.7%) had attempted suicide in the past year, and 820 (19.3%) had a lack of goal clarity, 3827 (89.8%) were used the Internet for more than two hours a day, and 4073 (95.6%) were used the Internet at least one day a week
The odds ratio of problematic Internet use (PIU) was associated with the age group of 20-24 year 1.39 (1.06, 1.82), being single 2.57 (1.85, 3.57), alcohol use 0.65 (0.43, 0.97), and suicide attempt 2.77 (1.47, 5.19)
Summary
The Internet is a very complex and revolutionary invention that has altered positively and negatively many aspects of real human life worldwide. The data collection tool included demographic characteristics, the status of using the Internet, social media, computer games, tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs, suicide ideation and attempt, and unprotected sex. There were significant relationships between PIU and age group 20-24 vs
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