Prevalence of Internet Usage Complaints Among Undergraduate Students

Abstract

Internet access has aided lots of students in achieving academic purposes. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of internet usage complaints on students health, during mandatory online studies among undergraduate students from the University of Georgia (UG), Tbilisi. This cross-sectional was conducted among undergraduate students from UG using a web designed questionnaire. The survey contained sociodemographic characteristics, internet access, and health complains. The study was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Most of participants were females (70.5%), from School of Health Sciences (207, 32.9%), in first year of study (354, 56.2%), and usually spend time on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, etc.) (315, 50%). Students reported different complaints such as internet craving, feeling guilty after internet use, internet dyscontrol, back, and neck pain. There was no significant difference in sociodemographic variables. Our findings suggested that the prolonged use of internet could have some health implications among students.