A Cross-Sectional Study on Prevalence of Internet Addiction and Its Associated Factors Among Adults in Selected Area

Abstract

Background: In the last decades, the use of internet has increased many folds, and internet addiction has become a severe public health issue around the world. However, sensible usage of internet is strongly suggested by psychologists and educators since over consumption can lead to related medical and psychological disorders. It can be difficult to identify problematic internet use among college students because they use the internet for almost everything in their daily lives, including communication, shopping, business, travel, research, entertainment, and more. It is also difficult to imagine living without the internet.

Aims and Objectives: (i) The aims of the study were to estimate the proportion of internet addiction among adults in selected area and (ii) to identify the factors associated with internet addiction. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was carried out among 225 adults. Adult internet addiction test was used to assess the prevalence of internet addiction. Results: The mean age of the study was found to be 19.6 ± 1.03 years. Among the 225 students who participated in the study, 16.45% and 4.45% had moderate and severe internet addiction, respectively. It was found that place of residence, internet use per day (hours), monthly data usage, and most common location and time of internet access significantly affects the extent of pathological internet use among medical students. Conclusion: Most of the students showed mild-to-moderate use of the internet. With the availability of high-speed internet on mobile phones, constant monitoring of internet use is essential to prevent severe addiction.