Background: Internet addiction is a growing concern, especially among young adults. Undergraduate medical students, due to their demanding studies and extended online exposure, are particularly susceptible to internet addiction and its effects. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of internet addiction and major psychological co-morbidities like depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate medical students at NRS Medical College while 36.4% experienced some stress, 60.4% faced anxiety, and 53.3% reported depressive symptoms. A positive correlation existed between severity of internet addiction and higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Binomial logistic regression revealed that spending over 5 hours weekly online and using mobile phones as preferred device were significantly associated with addiction. Conclusions: The study findings emphasize need for targeted interventions to manage internet addiction and its psychological effects, promoting a healthier lifestyle and academic environment for medical undergraduates.
Mandal et al. (Wed,) studied this question.