Published on:December 2019
    Journal of Pharmacy Practice and Community Medicine, 2019; 5(4):xx-xx
    Original Article | doi:10.5530/jppcm.2019.4.x


    Internet Addiction a Global Concern: A Cross-Sectional Appraisal amongst Imminent Medical Doctors of National Defence University of Malaysia


    Authors and affiliation (s):

    Mainul Haque1,*, Abdullahi Rabiu Abubakar2, Isa Naina-Mohamed3, Nurfarhana Binti Saidan1, Nadia Iman Khairul Azhar1

    1Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health National Defence University Malaysia, Kem Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA.

    2Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Kano, NIGERIA.

    3Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Unit, Pharmacology Department, Medical Faculty, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, KL, MALAYSIA.

    Abstract:

    Background: Recent evolution in terms of technology and availability of the internet has brought several innovations that made work and access to information straightforward. Nonetheless, the danger of pathological internet addiction and its adverse consequences are frightening. Objectives: The primary goal of this research is to determine the level of internet addiction among undergraduate medical students at National Defence University, Malaysia. Methods: A structured questionnaire comprising of section A consisting of student demographic information and section B made up of Dr. Kimberly Young’s 20 items internet addiction test (IAT) in 5-point Likert’s scale. Internet addiction scores were classified based on Young’s scale. Results: The response rate obtained from this study was 89.6%. Out of the 224 respondents, only 4(1.8%) were found to be regular internet users, 98 (43.8%) were established to be mild addicts, 110 (49.1%) were moderate addicts and finally, 12 (5.4%) were severe internet addicts. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean internet addiction score between males and females, with males having higher ratings. Conclusion: The prevalence of internet addiction among undergraduate medical students is high and needs to be controlled. As such, the use of the internet at colleges and universities may need to be regulated.

    Key words: Internet, Compulsion, Dependence, Apprehension, Medical Student, Smart Phone, Gadgets, Technology, Young’s Internet Addiction Scale.