Internet addiction and sleep quality among medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multinational cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Background The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lives of many people, including medical students. The present study explored internet addiction and changes in sleep patterns among medical students during the pandemic and assessed the relationship between them. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in seven countries, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Guyana, India, Mexico, Pakistan, and Sudan, using a convenience sampling technique, an online survey comprising demographic details, information regarding COVID-19, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Results In total, 2749 participants completed the questionnaire. Of the total, 67.6% scored above 30 in the IAT, suggesting the presence of an Internet addiction, and 73.5% scored equal and above 5 in the PSQI, suggesting poor sleep quality. Internet addiction was found to be significant predictors of poor sleep quality, causing 13.2% of the variance in poor sleep quality. Participants who reported COVID-19 related symptoms had disturbed sleep and higher internet addiction levels when compared with those who did not. Participants who reported a diagnosis of COVID-19 reported poor sleep quality. Those living with a COVID-19 diagnosed patient reported higher internet addiction and worse sleep quality compared with those who did not have any COVID-19 patients in their surroundings. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that internet addiction and poor sleep quality are two issues that require addressing amongst medical students. Medical training institutions should do their best to minimize their negative impact, particularly during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Internet Addiction in Socio-Demographic, Academic, and Psychological Profile of College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

“…The total scores were the sum of the coded responses. Based on this, depressive symptoms were identified as follows: no depressive symptoms (0-4), mild depressive symptoms (5)(6)(7)(8)(9), moderate depressive symptoms (10)(11)(12)(13)(14), moderately severe depressive symptoms (15)(16)(17)(18)(19), and severe depressive symptoms (20 or more). Anxiety symptoms were identified as follows: no anxiety symptoms (0-4), mild anxiety symptoms (5)(6)(7)(8)(9), moderate anxiety symptoms (10)(11)(12)(13)(14), and severe anxiety symptoms (15 or more).…”

“…Relationships, acceptance and integration, academic performance, meeting expectations, but also future employability are important aspects at this time. The consequences of problematic internet use by college students can be poor academic performance, disinterest in engaging in other activities, excessive daytime sleepiness ( 7 ), poor sleep quality ( 8 ), reduced academic engagement (dedication and vigor) ( 9 ), risky health behaviors ( 10 ), but also health problems, such as being under- or over-weight ( 11 , 12 ), migraine ( 12 , 13 ), back pain ( 12 ), or increased resting heart rate ( 14 ). These are reasons for increased vigilance about young people's use of the internet.…”

Digital Addiction and Sleep

“…Whether some internet activities may be more addictive or detrimental to good sleep and a healthy lifestyle than others is an open question [ 181 ]. Increases in digital addiction during the COVID-19 pandemic, related to financial hardship, bereavement, isolation, anxiety, and stress, were reported in studies from different countries [ 66 , 182 , 183 , 184 ]. This further prompts our awareness towards recognizing a new worldwide syndrome fueled by increasingly adverse societal conditions.…”

“…Two years ago, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has since affected the lives of many people, including adolescents and young students. A cross-national study [ 66 ] explored internet addiction and changes in sleep patterns among medical students during the pandemic, assessing the relationship between these two variables. The cross-sectional study was carried out in seven countries, including the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Guyana, India, Mexico, Pakistan, and Sudan, using a convenience sampling technique and an online survey comprising demographic details and information regarding COVID-19.…”

“…Sleep dysfunction does not happen in a void but results from complex interactions between internal (body and brain function) and external (environment) variables. These interactions need to be recognized and fully taken into account for approaching pathological sleep in digital addiction [ 27 , 35 , 43 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 64 , 65 , 66 ], as they have implications for preventive measures and clinical treatment.…”