Prevalence of Problematic Internet Use and Sociodemographic Correlates Among Undergraduate Students in Northern...

Problematic internet use is an emerging behavioral health concern among university students, yet evidence from Bangladesh remains limited. This study estimated the prevalence of problematic internet use and examined its sociodemographic correlates among undergraduate students in Northern Bangladesh using a locally validated instrument.

A cross-sectional study was conducted between June and December 2023 among 889 undergraduate students from public and private institutions in the Bogura district, Bangladesh. Participants were recruited using non-probability purposive sampling, and data were collected through face-to-face interviews. Problematic internet use was assessed using the 18-item Bangla-validated Internet Addiction Test (IAT), classifying participants as minimal (18-35), moderate (36-62), or excessive (63-90) users. Associations were examined using Pearson's chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported.

The mean IAT score was 35.93 (SD: 11.40; range: 18-76). Overall, 56.8% (n = 505) were minimal, 40.7% (n = 362) moderate, and 2.5% (n = 22) excessive users. Combining moderate and excessive users, 43.2% (95% CI: 39.9%-46.5%) met the study definition of problematic internet use. Male students had 83% higher odds of problematic internet use than female students (aOR = 1.83, 95% CI: 1.37-2.44; p < 0.001), while students in general academic disciplines had approximately twice the odds compared with those in health science disciplines (aOR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.51-2.87; p < 0.001). Age group was significant overall (p = 0.028), whereas living arrangement, academic year, and family income were not independently associated.

Problematic internet use affected more than two in five students in this sample. Male sex and academic discipline were independently associated with problematic internet use. Given the cross-sectional design, non-probability sampling, single-district setting, and limited assessment of behavioral and psychological determinants, findings should not be generalized nationally or interpreted causally. Larger, longitudinal, multi-site studies are needed to confirm these findings and investigate broader determinants.