Prevalence of internet addiction among medical students: a study from Southwestern Iran

In today's world, despite the numerous benefits, increasing demand for computer technology and the influence of widespread internet technology, many people, especially students, have faced impaired mental health and social relationships resulting from internet addiction; therefore, with regard to the contradictory results of preceding studies in the field of internet addiction, this study was designed to determine the prevalence of internet addiction in students of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences.

This descriptive study was conducted on all students of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. For data collection questionnaire and demographic profile of internet addiction test was used.

The results showed that internet addiction is common among university students (t = 23.286, p < 0.001). Internet addiction is significantly different between males and females and more prevalent in the male users (t = 4.351, p = 0.001). The prevalence of internet addiction in various categories was 1.6% normal, 47.4% mild, 38.1% moderate, and 12.9% severe. Our analysis also showed a significantly higher proportion of senior students with severe internet addiction (16.4%) compared to junior students (χ² = 30.964; p < 0.001).

Based on the findings of this study it can be concluded that there is a considerable internet addiction in medical students, and to prevent risks and complications, health considerations and proper treatments seem to be necessary.