Evaluation of internet addiction status and effects among medical students

Authors

  • Dipeshkumar D. Zalavadiya Department of Community Medicine, PDU Government Medical College, Rajkot, Gujarat, India
  • Niravkumar B. Joshi Department of Community Medicine, PDU Government Medical College, Rajkot, Gujarat, India
  • Dhara V. Thakrar Department of Community Medicine, PDU Government Medical College, Rajkot, Gujarat, India
  • Aarohi H. Mitra Department of Community Medicine, PDU Government Medical College, Rajkot, Gujarat, India
  • Bhavesh R. Kanabar Department of Community Medicine, PDU Government Medical College, Rajkot, Gujarat, India
  • Jasmin R. Oza Department of Community Medicine, PDU Government Medical College, Rajkot, Gujarat, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20161630

Keywords:

Internet addiction, Young’s internet addiction test, Students

Abstract

Background: The explosive growth of the internet in the last decade has had a huge impact on communication and interpersonal behavior. More and more students are addicted to internet, while spending lots of time surfing on the internet. The present study was conducted considering the above facts, with the objective to assess the level of internet addiction and effects of it among the medical students.

Methods: It was a cross sectional study conducted among medical students of PDU Govt. Medical College, Rajkot. Total 212 students were included in the study that were using internet daily and consented to participate. Young’s Internet Addiction Test (YIAT20) was used to study the level of internet addiction.

Results: Almost one third (35.4%) students were using internet for more than 2 years. Almost half (48.1%) students were using internet for more than 2 hours per day. Young’s Internet Addiction Test showed that 61 (28.8%) students had scoring in the range of 50 - 79 (frequent problem due to internet usage). There was significant difference for level of internet addiction and problems of change of lifestyle change in dietary behavior and sleep distribution.

Conclusions: This study’s results imply that Internet addiction is a prevalent public health issue varied pattern of internet use. Close observation over the use of internet and changes due to it among students are required by parents and colleges to stop emerging internet addiction. 

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Published

2017-01-05

How to Cite

Zalavadiya, D. D., Joshi, N. B., Thakrar, D. V., Mitra, A. H., Kanabar, B. R., & Oza, J. R. (2017). Evaluation of internet addiction status and effects among medical students. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 3(6), 1568–1572. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20161630

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Section

Original Research Articles