Background Internet addiction is a common problem in university students and negatively affects cognitive functioning, leads to poor academic performance and engagement in hazardous activities, and may lead to anxiety and stress. Behavioral addictions operate on a modified principle of the classic addiction model. The problem is not well investigated in Ethiopia. So the present study aimed to assess the prevalence of internet addiction and associated factors among university students in Ethiopia. Objectives Main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of internet addiction among University Students in Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among Wollo University students from April 10 to May 10, 2019. A total of 603 students were participated in the study using a structured questionnaire. A multistage cluster sampling technique was used to recruit study participants. A binary logistic regression method was used to explore associated factors for internet addiction and variables with a p value < 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were fitted to the multi-variable logistic regression analysis. The strength of association between internet addiction and associated factors was assessed with odds ratio, 95% CI and p value < 0.05 in the final model was considered significant. Results The prevalence of internet addiction (IA) among the current internet users was 85% (n = 466). Spending more time on the internet (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 10.13, 95% CI 1.33–77.00)), having mental distress (AOR = 2.69, 95% CI 1.02–7.06), playing online games (AOR = 2.40, 95% CI 1.38–4.18), current khat chewing (AOR = 3.34, 95% CI 1.14–9.83) and current alcohol use (AOR = 2.32, 95% CI 1.09–4.92) were associated with internet addiction. Conclusions The current study documents a high prevalence of internet addiction among Wollo University students. Factors associated with internet addiction were spending more time, having mental distress, playing online games, current khat chewing, and current alcohol use. As internet addiction becomes an evident public health problem, carrying out public awareness campaigns may be a fruitful strategy to decrease its prevalence and effect. Besides to this, a collaborative work among stakeholders is important to develop other trendy, adaptive, and sustainable countermeasures.

Background Globally, more than three billion people use the internet daily with young people being the most common users. Internet addiction among university students in Ethiopia has not been studied. Objectives The main objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and related factors of internet addiction among Wollo university students in Ethiopia. Methods A community university-based cross-sectional study was conducted among Wollo University students from April 10 to May 10, 2019. A total of six hundred three students were participated in the study using a pilot tested and self-administered structured questionnaire. A multistage cluster sampling was adopted for this study. In the first stage, by the use of lottery method, two colleges (College of medicine and health sciences, and College of natural sciences, and one school (school of law)) were selected. In the second stage, 18 departments were selected from the colleges and school. The Young’s Internet Addiction Test instrument was used to assess the level of internet addiction. Results Generally, the prevalence of internet addiction (IA) among the current internet users was 85% (n=466) with 55.7%(n=305) mild internet addiction, 27.9% (n=153) moderate internet addiction and 1.5% (n= 8) severe internet addiction. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, spending more time on the internet (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 10.13, 95%CI: 1.33-77.00)), having mental distress (AOR = 2.69, 95%CI: 1.02-7.06), playing online games (AOR = 2.40, 95%CI: 1.38-4.18), current khat chewing (AOR = 3.34, 95%CI: 1.14-9.83) and current alcohol use (AOR = 2.32, 95%CI: 1.09-4.92) were positively related to internet addiction. Using the internet for more than twelve months (AOR = 0.42, 95%CI: 0.18-0.96) and using the internet by mobile internet (AOR = 0.40, 95%CI: 0.20-0.83) were negatively related to internet addiction. Conclusions The current study documents a high prevalence of internet addiction among Wollo University students. Factors independently associated with internet addiction were using the internet greater than five hours daily, having mental distress, playing online games, current khat chewing and current alcohol use. So, we advise that higher institutions should establish prevention programs focus on educating students about emotional regulation skills and the harmful effects of substance use to minimize internet addiction.