INTERNET USE AND ADDICTION AMONG STUDENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF DUHOK

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackground: Internet has in few years changed the pattern of modern life. Internet addictionis regarded as a new disorder which might disrupt mental health. The objectiveswere to assess prevalence of internet addiction of various severity levels and to study itsrelationship to socio-demographic data among the students of university of Duhok.Methods: This study has a cross-sectional design in which addiction on internet was assessedamong Duhok University students for the academic year 2014- 2015. The participants were1077 students selected randomly during the period between 1st of December 2014 through30th of March 2015. The 20 items Internet Addiction scale was used.Results: Among the university students, 98.4% were internet users and 82.3% were addicts.Among them 71.8% have mild internet addiction, 24.3% have moderate and 3.9% can beclassified as having severe addiction. While the internet addiction was significantly moreprevalent among male gender and urban community group, the severe level appeared to bemore common in males and students from humanity fields. Students mostly used the internetfor academic/ pleasure purpose.Conclusions: Internet addiction appeared to be common among students of University ofDuhok specially males, urban residents and those from humanity fields. Clinicalpsychologists and psychiatrists should be aware to suggest the necessary therapeuticinterventions in time.