Modelling the predictors of internet addiction and internet use: a cross-sectional study among undergraduate university students in Ghana

Abstract

Despite the high prevalence of Internet addiction in previous studies, there is an existential dearth of epidemiological data among Ghanaian tertiary students on the associated factors. We sought to model the factors associated with internet addiction and use among university students. Using a cross-sectional survey design with a self-administered questionnaire, a sample of 850 students was selected with simple random sampling from six schools in the university. The data collected, entered, and coded in Excel were analysed using R software to implement the Mann–Whitney test, the Kruskal–Wallis test and logistic regression analysis. Internet addiction and internet use were high in 52% (95% CI 49, 55%) and 54% (95% CI 51, 57%) of the students, respectively. The results showed that belonging to the School of Basic and Biomedical Sciences ( p = 0.009) and the School of Pharmacy (aOR = 2.98, 95% CI 1.66–5.45, p < 0.001) increased the risk of internet addiction among students compared with belonging to the School of Medicine. Level 400 students ( p = 0.036) and those who are single ( p = 0.048) had a lower risk of internet addiction compared with level 100 students and the married. Other predictors include mothers’ higher education and self-employment, as well as fathers’ no formal education. The findings of the study revealed high levels of internet addiction among students. Internet addiction was associated with the type of school, academic level, religion of the students and the mother’s employment status. Programs for digital literacy adapted to academic levels and school types are needed to support the promotion of responsible use, including workshops and counselling services for students.