Internet Addiction and Cigarette Smoking Dependence Among Students of Soran University

Abstract

Background and objective: cigarette smoking is the most basic public health problem worldwide, particularly in developing countries, also Internet addiction is characterized by excessive or poorly controlled preoccupations, and behaviors regarding computer use and internet access that lead to impairment or distress. the objectives of the study were to assess the sociodemographic characteristics of students and assess the level of cigarette dependence and internet addiction among students at Soran university in Soran city. Methods: A quantitative design/ a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from 10th Jan 2022 to 10th April 2022. A non-probability (purposive) sampling of 350 students at Soran university in Soran city. A questionnaire was composed of three parts, part one included questions related to socio-demographic characteristics, part two included questions related to nicotine addiction, and part three was related to internet addiction. The data was collected by interview technique and (SPSS V 26) program was used for data analysis. Chi square test was used to compare proportions between selected variables of the study and internet addiction levels. Results: The study revealed that the mean age and standard deviation of students were 22.05+2.4 years more than half 60.9% were male and 59.1% of participants were in the age group (22-25) years and 31.4% were in the second academic year, 85% passed the first trimester successfully. Also, 6.3% had high cigarette dependence levels, and half 54.57% had moderate internet addiction. There were no significant association between internet addiction levels and age, gender, academic year, GPA and residence  Conclusion: According to the finding of this study level of internet addiction was higher than cigarette dependence, few students had high cigarette dependence and severe internet addiction, public awareness about negative effects of both internet use and cigarette smoking, limitation of internet access and cigarette in public and using screen time Apps will have a role in decreasing internet addiction.