Abstract
Background: The increasing use of the World Wide Web, also known as the internet, presents as many opportunities as challenges. Challenges such as addictive use are prevalent among all age groups, but young persons are particularly at risk of being dependent upon its use. Problematic use of the internet is a growing problem of public health significance globally and the prevalence of this health challenge is particularly important in developing nations.
Aims: To determine the prevalence of problematic internet use, and the relationship with probable psychiatric morbidity among a sample of students in a medical College in Lagos Nigeria.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study among undergraduate students of a medical school in Lagos, Nigeria. The students were selected from the second, third and fourth years of medical training. Using convenience sampling a total of 192 students participated and completed the distributed questionnaires. The Internet Addiction Scale (IAS) designed by Kimberly Young was used in assessing for problematic use. On this scale a total score of 20- 49 suggests the user has complete control over usage of the internet, 50- 70 suggests occasional problematic internet use and above 70 suggests significant problematic use or internet addiction.
The General health questionnaire (version 12) served to screen for probable Psychiatric Morbidity.
Results: The mean age of respondents was 23.8 years (± 6.3 SD). Majority (89.6%) of the students were studying Medicine and Surgery while others were studying (5.6%), Physiology (1.40%) and Dentistry (3.5%). Fifty six (29.2%) of the students had occasional problematic internet use, while 9(4.7%) had significant problematic internet use symptoms. Eighty one (42.2%) had scores on the GFIQ suggestive of probable psychiatric morbidity. Among those with occasional problematic internet use and significant problematic internet use, scores suggestive of probable psychiatric morbidity was found in 27 ( 4 9.1% ) and 1(11.1% ) respectively. Overall mean score on the IAS was 43.4 (SD ± 19.3).
Conclusion: Occasional problematic Internet use and probable psychiatric morbidity exists among this population group. Enlightenment about the potential problems associated with internet use and options for support or professional care should be made available to young internet users via institutions of learning.