Medical Students and Internet Addiction: A Study at Bolan University of Medical and Health Sciences Quetta, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: The use of internet is unavoidable in daily life. The young individuals are more prone to this condition. Beside many good benefits certain hazards are indicative richly observed in adolescent. The addiction test for internet usage is largely popular by using Internet Addiction Test IAT globally. This study is designed to assess and explore the internet addiction among Pakistani adolescents.   Methods: 300 medical students of Bolan University of Medical and Health Sciences aged from 18-25 years randomly selected for this study. Data collected based on scoring Internet Addiction Test 20 questionnaire. Factor categorization with Internet addiction assessment measured and analyzed according to age groups and gender specification.  Results: The study results explored the addiction level of students. No sign of addiction seen in 32.33% (n=97) of students. Low and moderate level of addiction found in 46% (n=138) students and sever form of internet addiction seen in 21.66% (n=65) of medical students. Conclusion: On the outcomes of current study, the measures should be seen for social and emotional behaviors and positive time given to internet use. Selected prevention measures should be planned for adolescent based on internet addiction.