Internet Addiction among Medical Postgraduate Students: A Cross- Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Internet addiction was not officially recognized as a disorder by the psychiatric community
till recently. However, with internet access becoming widespread, problematic internet use is increasingly
being reported. It has been suggested that excessive internet use could represent addictive behavior with
mental health implications. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the objective to assess the
prevalence of internet addiction and pattern of internet usage among post graduate students in a medical
college.
Materials and Method: A cross sectional study was conducted among post graduates of Jawaharlal Nehru
Medical College, Belagavi. The study was conducted from January 2018 to June 2018 with a universal
sample size. The data was collected by using Kimberly Young IAT questionnaire. The data was further
tabulated and analysed.
Results: The study revealed that 138 (92%) reported internet addiction and 12 (8%) reported normal
internet usage. The students residing in hostel were more prone for internet addiction. Almost two thirds of
participants used internet for communication, social networking and entertainment.
Conclusion: Although being trapped in the busy schedules, medical postgraduates were also prone to
internet addiction, leading to various mental disorders like depression. To overcome that various internet
rehabilitation centres, regulation of use of internet in working hours can be done