Authors Sehrish Zahra Department of Community Health Sciences, Karachi Institute of Medical Sciences, National Universities of Medical Sciences. Samira Faiz Bari Department of Community Health Sciences, Karachi Institute of Medical Sciences, National Universities of Medical Sciences. Farhan Muhammad Qureshi Department of Community Health Sciences, Karachi Institute of Medical Sciences, National Universities of Medical Sciences. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7044-6751 Seema Mumtaz Department of Community Health Sciences, Karachi Institute of Medical Sciences, National Universities of Medical Sciences. Hammad Ali Department of Community Health Sciences, Jinnah Medical and Dental College, Sohail University DOI: https://doi.org/10.58397/27d5g765 Keywords: internet addiction, university students, socioeconomic status, lifestyle, smoking, mental health, youngs internet addiction test Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Internet addiction and examine its association with socio-demographic and behavioral factors among university students in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2023 to January 2024 involving 553 full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students from various universities in Karachi. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire comprising demographic details, lifestyle characteristics, and Young's Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Internet addiction was defined as an IAT score ?50. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0, employing chi-square test and binary logistic regression.

Results: The prevalence of Internet addiction was 20.3%. IA was significantly associated with lower monthly household income (p=0.001), smoking status (p=0.045), and a sedentary lifestyle (p=0.011). Students from households earning less than PKR 50,000/month had the highest prevalence (40%). Regular smokers were 1.8 times more likely to experience IA (AOR: 1.843, 95% CI: 1.028–3.304), whereas students with an active lifestyle were significantly less likely to be addicted (AOR: 0.498, p=0.003).

Conclusion: Internet addiction is notably prevalent among university students in Karachi and is significantly influenced by socioeconomic status, smoking habits, and physical activity. Early identification and targeted interventions promoting balanced internet use are essential to safeguard the mental health of young adults.

Author Biographies

Sehrish Zahra, Department of Community Health Sciences, Karachi Institute of Medical Sciences, National Universities of Medical Sciences.

Assistant Professor

Departmento Community Medicine & PUblic Health

KIMS, Malir Cantt, Karachi

Samira Faiz Bari, Department of Community Health Sciences, Karachi Institute of Medical Sciences, National Universities of Medical Sciences.

Associate Professor

Department of Community Medicine & Public Health

Karachi Institute of Medical Sciences, Malir Cantt, Karachi 

Farhan Muhammad Qureshi, Department of Community Health Sciences, Karachi Institute of Medical Sciences, National Universities of Medical Sciences.

Associate Professor 
Department of Community Meedicine & Public Health

Karachi Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) Malir Cantt

Seema Mumtaz, Department of Community Health Sciences, Karachi Institute of Medical Sciences, National Universities of Medical Sciences.

Professor

Department of Community Medicine & Public Health

KIMS, malir Cantt, Karachi

Hammad Ali , Department of Community Health Sciences, Jinnah Medical and Dental College, Sohail University

Senior Lecturer

Department of Community Medicine

Jinnah Medical & Dental College, Sohail University, Karachi 

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