Internet Addiction and Psychological Co-morbidities among Undergraduate Medical Students of a Medical College

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 & Hospital, Kolkata, and to find out determinants of internet addiction, and its relationship with psychological co-morbidities. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 268 undergraduate students, 67 from each academic year, selected via stratified random sampling. Data collection involved a self-administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic details, Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). Descriptive followed by inferential statistics were applied using Jamovi software. Results: Among the participants, majority (61.3%) were male, with a mean age of 20.6 ± 1.37 years, came from urban backgrounds (65.8%), were in upper socio-economic class (67.6%), resided in hostels (45.8%), and preferred using mobile phones for internet access (90.2%). A significant proportion (61.7%) used internet mainly from night to late night (8pm – 3am), with an average usage time of 4.98 ± 2.45 hours weekly. Internet addiction was prevalent, with most (41%) showing mild to moderate addiction levels; 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.