INTERNET ADDICTION AND ITS RELATION TO STRESS AND DEPRESSION AMONG DUHOK MEDICAL COLLEGE STUDENTS

Background: The spectacular growth of technology has made Internet use, the most popular recreational and academic activity for the college students. With the rise of new-generation gadgets, the risk of “internet addiction” is a significant issue of concern. Internet addiction leads to social and psychological problems such as depression, loneliness, low self-esteem and life satisfaction and other mental health problems and a greater impact on their academics. The objective of the study was to determine the association between internet addiction and depression and to know the effect of gender on internet addiction.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on the professional course students from Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences (Government Medical College) and Government Engineering College. A total of 300 students were assessed for internet addiction using Young’s internet addiction test and depression was assessed using Beck’s depression inventory-II.Results: Out of the 300 professional college students, 173 (57.7%) were found to be internet addicted and 67 (38.7%) among them were found to be depressed and a statistically significant association (p<0.05, OR 3.6, 95% CI 2.02–6.39) was found. Males were found to be more addicted than females and it was statistical significant.Conclusions: Internet Addiction is common among the college students and adequate steps have to be taken to prevent the students from falling into addiction which is considered as a mental health issue. Knowledge regarding the safe use of internet has to be provided to students.

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Gender Variation in the Prevalence of Internet Addiction and Impact of Internet Addiction on Reaction Time and Heart Rate Variability in Medical College Students

JOURNAL FOR CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH ◽

10.7860/jcdr/2019/40839.12753 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Bhaskar Kannan ◽

S Karthik ◽

Gopal Krushna Pal ◽

Vikas Menon

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Reaction Time ◽

Internet Addiction ◽

Medical College ◽

Gender Variation

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Is internet hampering mental health of medical students: a cross sectional study

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20182147 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (6) ◽

pp. 2286

Author(s):

Rupesh D. Shinde ◽

Shekhar S. Rajderkar

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

College Students ◽

Medical Students ◽

Internet Addiction ◽

American Psychological Association ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Internet Usage ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical College

Background: Internet addiction was first studied in 1996 and findings were presented to American Psychological Association. Recent studies examined the prevalence of Internet addiction and investigated its causes. Internet users in India are around 205 million. Internet usage among medical students is high. Internet addiction has both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. This study aims to understand the patterns of internet use and its effects on mental health among medical college students. The objectives of the study were to study the patterns of internet usage among medical college students and to study the depression in them and its relation to internet usage.Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted in government medical college. Taking prevalence of mild internet addiction 34% from previous Indian studies, minimum sample size of 90 was calculated. 23 students of 1st, 2nd 3rd year and internship were randomly chosen for study. Pretested Young’s 20-item IAT scale and DASS 21 questionnaire was used for the study. Statistical analysis was done using percentage and chi square test.Results: Mild internet addiction was found in one third of medical students. Depression is seen in 61% of students with internet addiction.Conclusions: Internet addiction is affecting mental health of medical students.

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