Abstract

Aim:The current study aimed to determine the association between Internet Addition [IA] and fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression, and life style factors among school children.
Subjects & Methods:A cross-sectional survey based on Public and Private intermediate and secondary School students in Doha- Qatar. A total of 1624 students 12-18 years of age were approached using multistage stratified random sampling and 1,188 students (73.3%) gave consent during October 2011 to December 2012. Data collection was based on a structure questionnaire including socio-demographic details, lifestyle and dietary habits Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Fatigue Scale, Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS] and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) test. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed.
Results:The overall prevalence of IA among school children was 19.8%. The proportion of IA was significantly more among males (56.4%) as compare to females (43.6%; p=0.035), school performance (p<0.001) and family income (p=0.032). Those with IA had significantly less number of sleep hours (6.16±0.80 vs. 6.58±1.29; p<0.001) as compared to normal. Those with IA had significantly high number of hours internet use (3.82±1.64 vs. 3.03±1.64; p<0.001) as compared to normal. A significantly larger proportion of IA than normal subjects reported having headaches (p=0.010), double vision (p=0.037), eye hurt (p=0.021), eye tired (p=0.005), dizziness (34.4% vs. 27.3%; p=0.002), and hearing problem (p=0.048). A significantly larger proportion of students with IA most frequently gratifying site (19.9% vs. 11.6%; p<0.001), browsed games (38.6% vs. 29.9%; p=0.010), chat sites (29.7% vs. 22%; p=0.013), email (54.2% vs. 63.1%; p=0.36), and research (61.0% vs. 69.2%; p=0.017). Those with IA had significantly high number fatigue disorders, because significantly high number of hours internet use (p<0.001) as compared to normal.
Conclusion:The current study confirmed the of evidence linking problematic internet use with negative fatigue, greater numbers of symptoms, anxiety, sleeping disturbances, depressive and lifestyle risk factors, among vulnerable young children.