DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sjams.2026.v14i02.017

Pages: 242-246 BD

Background: Each year, medical students join with clear goals and a commitment to serve humanity. While technology and the Internet have improved daily life, excessive use can lead to addiction, showing symptoms similar to substance abuse. Internet use is common among medical students for academics and leisure, but overuse can affect mental health and academic performance. This study aims to assess the prevalence and patterns of internet addiction among Bangladeshi medical students and identify associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 196 undergraduate students at Shaheed M. Monsur Ali Medical College, Dhaka, assessed internet addiction using Young’s Internet Addiction Test (IAT, 1998). Students without internet access, incomplete questionnaires, or on certain medications were excluded. Data were analyzed with SPSS v25 using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests (p < 0.05). Results: Among 196 medical students (49% male, 51% female), most were from rural areas (60.7%) and nuclear families (87.2%), with employed fathers (87.2%) and mostly unemployed mothers (80.1%). Facebook was the main platform used (95.9%), mainly during free time, and 9.7% reported social media addiction. Behavioral factors included 32.1% smokers, 17.3% physically active, 58.7% with normal sleep, and 30.1% with depression. The mean IAT score was 59.06 ±16.27, with 34.7% classified as addicted. No socio-demographic factor was significantly associated with internet addiction. Conclusion: Internet addiction affects 34.7% of undergraduate medical students, with behavioral factors like high social media use, living alone, low physical activity, and depression contributing more than socio-demographic factors. The findings align with global studies, emphasizing the need for awareness, mental health support, and interventions to promote healthy internet use among medical students.