Prevalence of Internet Addiction and its Correlates Among Regular Undergraduate Medicine and Health Science Students at Ambo University. Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Internet addiction (IA) is causing academic failure, decreased concentration ability, and a negative affective state. In Ethiopia, studies conducted on IA were limited; therefore, this study aimed to assess its prevalence and risk factors among medicine and health science (MHS) students of Ambo University. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional study and included MHS students of Ambo University from July 15 to August 15, 2021. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire after receiving informed consent from study participants. The results were analyzed using the statistical software for social sciences version 24. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to explore the relationship between IA and dependent variables. RESULTS: Of the 253 participants who participated in the study, 201 (79%) were found to have an IA. Having one’s own computer, Internet access at home and an email account were 2 times more risky to develop IA compared to their counterparts with AOR = 2.615 (95% CI = 1.118-5.956) with a P value of .022, AOR = 2.154 (95% CI = 1.054-4.405) with a P value of .35 and (=2.154 (95% CI = 1.054-4.405 with a P value of .035 respectively. Additionally, those who use the Internet for news were 2.5 times more likely to develop IA compared to those who do not (AOR = 2.551 (95% CI = 1.225-5.349) with a P-value of .013). The use of the Internet for scientific research and education reduces IA by 0.7 times (AOR = 0.323 (95% CI = 0.120-0.868) with a P value of .025). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of IA was found to be high in this study. Therefore, strategies are needed to minimize the prevalence of this problem.