“DOES EXCESSIVE INTERNET USAGE DISRUPT CIRCADIAN RHYTHM? – SPOTLIGHT ON A LOOMING BEHAVIOURALADDICTION AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS”
Background: In recent years the internet had become the most indispensable tool for students for learning, entertainment, and communication. Internet over-usage had emerged as a major problem among students causing the emergence of a problem that is defined as internet addiction (IA) which affects sleep and leads to several mental health problems. This study is the step toward understanding the effect of internet addiction on sleep quality among medical college students in Pondicherry. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. It is a questionnaire-based study administrated among 298 consenting medical students. The participants were assessed by proforma containing demographic details, variables related to internet use, questionnaires of Internet Addiction Test, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index for Sleep quality. Statistical data were analysed by SPSS-25. Results: A total of 287 students participated; 113 (39.4%) were males and 174 (60.6%) are females. Out of which Average users were 244 (85.01%) and problematic internet usage was 43 (14.99%), whereas poor sleep quality is found in 132 (45.99%) individuals. A significant correlation was found between internet addiction and the quality of sleep. Conclusions: Participants with problematic internet users were more likely to have a poor quality of sleep and vice versa.