Prevalence of Internet Addiction and Associated Factors Among Students in an Ethiopian University

A Cross-Sectional Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15414123
AuthorsHabtamu Muche (Bahir Dar University, corresponding author), Kerebih Asrese (0000-0001-9225-2923, Bahir Dar University)
Year2021
Volume22
Issue2
Pages143-159
Publication date2021-04-20
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1533-256X • E-ISSN: 1533-2578
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/1533256x.2021.1903681
OpenAlexW3155070345
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited29

Internet addiction has become a behavioral problem globally, especially among youth. Whether this phenomenon is a concern has not been assessed in Ethiopia. This study investigated the prevalence of Internet addiction and risk factors for Internet addiction among undergraduate students at a university in Ethiopia. Data were collected from 812 undergraduate students recruited from 5 campuses using stratified random sampling techniques. Participants completed a pretested structured questionnaire. The results indicated that the prevalence of Internet addiction was 35.2%, with severe addiction for 1.8% and mild addiction for 33.4% of participants. Internet addiction rates were higher among female students compared to their male counterparts (38.3% vs. 33.4%). Senior students reported more addiction to Internet use, χ2 = 42.72, p< .001. Academic grade-point average (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = .19, 95% CI [.13, .29]), parental supervision (AOR = .96, 95% CI [.92, .99]), self-esteem (AOR = .95, 95% CI [.91, .99]), and peer pressure (AOR = 1.16, 95% CI [1.10, 1.22]) were risk factors for Internet addiction. Our findings revealed that more than one third of the respondents had an addiction to the Internet. Increased grade-point average, higher self-esteem, and higher perceived parental supervision were protective against Internet addiction, whereas seniority among students and peer pressure were drivers toward Internet addiction. These findings highlight the importance of considering the identified factors in designing interventions to prevent and control Internet addiction among students

Addiction · Cross-sectional study · Logistic regression · Odds · Odds ratio · Peer pressure · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Stratified sampling · The Internet · Child Development and Digital Technology · Clinical Psychology · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Medicine · Psychology · Social Media and Politics · Social Psychology · Internal Medicine

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