Prevalence of Internet Addiction and Some Related Factors in Students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2019-2020

Abstract

Background: Considering the daily use of the Internet and its major role in the lives of students and the fact that students use the Internet more to achieve their scientific goals, its uncontrolled use has caused a new phenomenon called Internet addiction. The present study was performed with the aim of determining the prevalence of Internet addiction and its related factors in the students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, during 2019-2020. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 384 students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Samples were selected using stratified random sampling and proportional to the volume of students in each school. Data were collected using Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Questionnaires were sent online to the delegates and scoring was done based on the Likert scale. Data were analyzed using chi-square test and Pearson correlation coefficient via SPSS software. Findings: 66.7 of participants were girls and 81.0 of them were single. 27.4 of subjects were exposed to Internet addiction and only 1 of subjects were severely addicted. There was a significant relationship between the school and place of residence with the Internet addiction of subjects (P < 0.05), so that Internet addiction was more common among students of medical and health schools as well as among students living in dormitories. Conclusion: Due to the fact that Internet addiction is more common among students living in dormitories and some schools, the authorities are expected to hold educational programs for the proper use of the Internet in the future, and provide the students with more entertainment programs and facilities to avoid wasting their time. © 2022, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.