Internet Gaming Addiction in Medical Students, Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Exposure to internet gaming is unavoidable for human life which is associated with physical and mental health problems. Prevalence of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and comorbidities requires study in MBBS students who are supposed to use internet frequently for academic purpose. Internet addiction is known to casue Aim: To assess the nature and extent of psychiatric morbidities associated with gaming addiction in medical students. Objectives: To study the prevalence of gaming disorder and addiction, the prevalence of depression and study the prevalence of anxiety in same population. Methods: Data collected from 385 Medical students of Tertiary care Medical College and Hospital, Ghaziabad, U.P. India with IGDS9 –SF and self-assessment scales for depression and anxiety after taking institutional ethical clearance. Semi-structured pro forma used to collect the socio-demographic data. The study was done over a 1 year period. Patient anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed on self-rating scale. Results: The prevalence IGD found to be 3.12%, depression is significantly associated with IGD (66.66%), and prevalence of anxiety was 8.31%. Conclusion: Males are at high risk of IGD. The association with more comorbid conditions as depression and anxiety was present. Prospective studies are required further