Prevalence of Problematic Pornography Use and Attitude Toward Pornography Among the Undergraduate Medical Students

Abstract

Background: There are mixed views on categorizing pornography as addiction or as a sexual compulsivity or a subset of hypersexual behavior. Due to rise in the Internet access and technologies, the possibilities of conduit for sexual interactions, online pornography, and other type of repetitive behaviors have increased. Aims: The current study aimed to find the prevalence of problematic pornography use and attitude toward pornography. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 1,050 undergraduate medical students to assess the prevalence of pornography addiction and attitude toward pornography. A Google document containing structured questionnaire in 3 different parts: (a) demographic details of students, (b) Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale, and (c) attitudes toward pornography scale. This Google document was shared with all the undergraduate students through email address and WhatsApp group. Participants who did not respond to the questionnaire were sent 3 reminders at a gap of 3 days. The responses were recorded in Excel sheet and analyzed using Epi-Info software. Results: Prevalence of problematic pornography use among participants was 12.5%. There was statistically high prevalence of problematic pornography use among male participants ( P < .001), nearly daily consumption of pornography per week ( P < .001) and more than 20 min of consumption per day ( P <.001). A statistical significant negative correlation was shown (r = −0.483, P < .001) between age of first exposure to pornography and problematic pornography consumption score. Males, being in a relationship, and those with problematic pornography use had higher score on attitude toward pornography scale. Conclusion: It is important to provide education to students about the effects of problematic pornography use because there is negative correlation between exposure to pornographic imagery on the Internet and levels of genital and sexual esteem; pornography use was associated with poor quality of life, and depressive and anxiety symptoms. Gender-specific discussions so as to promote sexual health and participation in media literacy education would be beneficial for young people in changing attitude toward pornography.