Prevalence and associated factors of internet addiction among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: The study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of internet addiction (IA) among early adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.

METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from February to April 2021 among adolescents in Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Participants completed the Malay Version of the Internet Addiction Test, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 and a sociodemographic information form. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the associations between variables.

RESULTS: A total of 535 adolescents participated in this study. Among them, 65.9% were girls. The prevalence of IA among the participants was 48.6%. Male sex [adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=2.15, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.30-3.57], internet usage at home (AOR=6.17, 95% CI=1.94-19.58), internet usage to watch/download music (AOR=2.50, 95% CI= 1.52-4.12), internet usage to engage in social networking (AOR=2.29, 95% CI=1.19-4.40), inadequate parental/guardian bonding (AOR=2.19, 95% CI=1.31-3.65), depression (AOR=2.03, 95% CI=1.07-3.85), anxiety (AOR=2.79, 95% CI=1.64-4.76) and stress (AOR=4.67, 95% CI=2.00-10.91) were significantly associated with IA.

CONCLUSION: IA was prevalent among Malaysian adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sex, internet usage profile and psychological factors were significant predictors of IA.