Effect of internet use on medical students before and after 4g internet service in india: A comparative study

Internet is being used extensively throughout the world from last decade. In India internet service has entered into new generation called 4G. Medical students are particularly vulnerable group for problematic internet use on account of the time they spend online. This might have negative effects on their physical, psychological and social health. Hence they are more prone to internet addiction.

To compare use and effect of internet service among medical students before and after the availability of 4G service.

Institution based cross sectional study.

Predesigned validated questionnaires were provided to the medical students in the year 2014. The questionnaire included demographics, pattern of internet use and Young's internet addiction test. Again in the year 2018 the similar procedure was carried out after introduction of 4G service. The data was collected and compared. Analysis was done using SPSS 25.

Descriptive statistics, Chi² test and Mann-Whitney test was applied.

Among 424 medical students 207 students were assessed in the year 2014 and 217 students in 2018.There was a significant change of pattern of use. Also significant increase in number of female users and severity of internet addiction in 2018. The ill effect of internet was on rise after availability of 4G service.

The prevalence of internet addiction and its ill effect on behavior among medical students was higher after availability of 4G service in same college. So appropriate preventive and interventional strategies need to be developed in professional institutions.