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Category: Volume 06 Issue 08 August 2018
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Title: Prevalence and determinants of internet addiction among undergraduate medical students of Rewa, M.P.

Authors: Dr Prayank Jain DM, Dr Achla Jain MBBS

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i8.173

Abstract

Background: Recent increase in ease to internet availability, its low cost and emergence of many social media apps have jointly resulted in exponential increase in use of internet specially among youngsters like medical students due to their social and academic needs.

Objectives: To assess prevalence of Internet addiction among undergraduate medical students & to assess determinants of internet addiction.

Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted among 150 undergraduate medical students of SS Medical College Rewa, MP. This study was conducted between 1/7/2017 to 31/8/2017 Study subjects were selected randomly & asked to complete Youngs IAT questionnaire in lecture theatre.

Results: Among 150 study participants, 50.6% were males and 49.4% were females. The prevalence of internet addiction among the study subjects in the present study was 93.3%.  38.7% had mild internet addiction, 49.3% had moderate internet addiction & 5.3% had severe internet addiction. 6.7% students reported normal internet usage. Difference in prevalence of internet addiction among males and females was found statistically non significant (p=>0.05).  Factors associated with internet addiction were staying in hostel and living single, usage of smart phone, preferring online shopping and online studying.

Conclusion: Undergraduate medical students have an increased prevalence of internet addiction. Efforts to increase awareness about bad effects of internet addiction and intervention measures to prevent this is urgent need of time.

Keywords: Internet Addiction, Youngs IAT score, Medical Students.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Prayank Jain

C/o Shri A.K. Jain 109/2B Nehru Nagar Colony, Opp. Medical College Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India