Prevalence and factors associated with the use of internet, and its psychopathological effects among intermediate students in Hyderabad city, India

• Published in: International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health Vol. 7; no. 4; p. 1397
• Main Authors: Chauhan, Pooja, Reddy, Sai Ram B., Goparaju, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 26.03.2020
• ISSN: 2394-6032; 2394-6040
• DOI: 10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20201444

Background: Excessive use of the internet has become one of the leading challenges of the modern society and causes both physical and mental impairment. There are various researches done worldwide to know the prevalence of internet addiction, factors influencing it and it impact on the lives of adolescent population. Keeping this in mind this study is planned to estimate the use of internet and its impact among intermediate students in Hyderabad city. To know the prevalence of internet use, depression, stress and anxiety among the students; and psychopathological effect of internet use among them.Methods: Multi-centric, cross-sectional study was conducted among intermediate college students. A pre-designed questionnaire was used to assess the internet use and psychopathological effect like behavioural problems, loneliness, depression, anxiety and stress using appropriate scales. It was a self-reported questionnaire.Results: Abnormal internet use was found in 55.9% of students. It was significantly found among those students living alone or sharing room with friends, who had phones before the age of 16 years. It was found more among males and those earning, but not significantly.Conclusions: It can be seen that higher internet use causes sleep problems, behavioural issues, physical health problems, depression, anxiety and stress. But it is also seen that there are factors which have a great influence on the internet use, which can be easily controlled or modified.