Prevalence and associated factors of internet addiction among young adults in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: In the last decades, the use of internet has increased many folds, and internet addiction has become a severe public health issue around the world. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of internet addiction among young adults (19-35 years) in Bangladesh and to identify factors associated with it. Methods: A total of 454 participants were selected from three administrative divisions of Bangladesh using multistage cluster sampling for this cross-sectional study. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data which included Young's 20 items internet addiction test to assess internet addiction. Results: The overall prevalence of internet addiction was 27.1%. Addiction rate was 28.6% in the subgroup 19-24 years and 23.5% among 25-35 years old. In both chi-square and logistic regression analyses, internet addiction was significantly associated with living setup, time spent daily on the internet, a detached family relationship, physical activity, and smoking habit (p < 0.05). Spending time on social media websites was the most common online activity among the participants. Conclusion: Our study revealed a relatively high prevalence of internet addiction among younger participants. A detached family relationship and living away from the family were significant determinants along other factors. Therefore, it is important to raise awareness among young generation and their parents towards predictors of internet addiction.

The effect of Internet addiction on sleep quality in adolescents

“…Another study revealed no correlation between Internet addiction and the type of device used to access the Internet (Salam, Alrowaili, Albedaiwi, Alessa, & Alfayyadh, 2019). A study conducted in Bangladesh found that students who accessed the Internet via computer had significantly higher Internet addiction scores (Hassan, Alam, Wahab, & Hawlader, 2020). This difference may be associated with the presence of regional‐cultural differences as well as the Internet access' having become easier and more widespread depending on the data collected at different times.…”

Association of Internet Addiction with Adolescents’ Lifestyle: A National School-Based Survey

“…Poor dietary habits such as carbonated soft drinks and fast food consumptions have been reported to be related to IA among adolescents [ 21 , 22 ]. A recent study among young adults in Bangladesh also suggested that IA was significantly higher among respondents who had a smoking habit or did not involve in a considerable amount of physical activity [ 23 ]. However, studies focusing on IA and lifestyle among adolescents are still lacking in Malaysia.…”

Internet addiction among young Bangladeshi adults: critical commentary on Hassan et al. (2020)

“…Internet addiction among young Bangladeshi adults: critical commentary on Hassan et al (2020) Mark D. Griffiths 1* and Mohammed A. Mamun 1,2 Dear Editor,…”

“…We were very interested to read the paper by Hassan et al [1] examining the prevalence and associated factors of internet addiction (IA) among young Bangladeshi adults. However, there are a number of issues of concern that we would like to raise.…”

“…Based on these aforementioned criticisms, it can be concluded that the paper by Hassan et al [1] has many methodological and conceptual weaknesses as well as including a number of assertions that were just simply and factually incorrect.…”