Internet Addiction: Prevalence and Patterns among Professional College Students in Urban Area – A Cross-sectional Study
Background: Internet addiction, characterized by excessive and compulsive online behavior, has become a global issue, particularly among students. India, with its rapidly growing internet population, is witnessing a surge in Internet addiction among youth and, especially professional college student...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Public Health and Primary Care |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jphpc.jphpc_26_24 |
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| Summary: | Background:
Internet addiction, characterized by excessive and compulsive online behavior, has become a global issue, particularly among students. India, with its rapidly growing internet population, is witnessing a surge in Internet addiction among youth and, especially professional college students.
Objectives:
This study aims to assess the prevalence and patterns of Internet addiction among medical and engineering college students in Belagavi, Karnataka.
Methodology:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 640 students (320 medical and 320 engineering) using simple random sampling. Data were collected from participants who have used the Internet for at least 6 months via a self-administered questionnaire, including Young’s Internet Addiction Scale, categorizing addiction into normal, mild, moderate, and severe levels. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25.0.
Results:
Of the medical students, 58.4% were moderately addicted, 32.5% were mildly addicted, and 6.3% were severely addicted. Among engineering students, 74.4% were moderately addicted, 15.6% were mildly addicted, and 8.4% were severely addicted. Engineering students exhibited significantly higher levels of addiction compared to medical students (P < 0.05), with behavioral differences in compulsive Internet use and emotional responses.
Conclusion:
The study reveals a high prevalence of Internet addiction among professional college students, with engineering students showing a higher tendency toward problematic use. These findings underscore the need for early intervention and awareness programs to address Internet addiction and its consequences on students’ well-being. |
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| ISSN: | 2772-3666 2772-3674 |