Prevalence of Internet Addiction and Its Associated Risk Factors among Medical Students in Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Internet addiction (IA) has been studied extensively and shown to have adverse social, psychological, and functional consequences. This has become a global health issue, particularly among young adults. Unfortunately, few studies have been conducted among medical students in Sudan. This study aimed to measure the prevalence of internet addiction and determine its associated risk factors among medical students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students using a systematic sampling technique. An online structured questionnaire was used, which included sociodemographic data and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) to assess the presence and severity of IA, as well as the Kessler Questionnaire to assess psychological distress. Results: Of 307 medical students participating in this study, 63.8% were female. The majority (78.5%) were aged 18–22 years, and the prevalence of internet addiction was 75.5% (n = 232). The Addiction levels were as follows: mild,39.7%; moderate, 33.2%; and severe, 2.6%. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that being a female medical student was associated with 1.9 times Internet addiction (OR = 1.87, p = 0.033). Psychological distress was associated with a 6.368-fold higher risk of internet addiction compared to non-distressed students (OR = 6.368, p = 0.000). Additionally, students in the clinical years had a lower risk of internet addiction, specifically the fourth and fifth years (OR = 0.325, p = 0.010; OR = 0.398, p = 0.043, respectively). Conclusions: This study found a high prevalence of internet addiction among medical students at National University, which is strongly associated with mental distress. Effective awareness programs are required to educate students on limiting excessive internet usage and addressing associated risk factors. Future research should include longitudinal or multi-university studies to further investigate the relationship between internet addiction and mental distress in a robust manner.