Impact of Internet Addiction on Quality of Sleep among Nursing Students, India

Context: Internet use has been identified as having a detrimental effect on sleep patterns among the most technologically-oriented population. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the pattern of internet addiction among student nurses and to examine the association between problematic internet use and quality of sleep. Methods: The study adopted a cross sectional design, where students enrolled in B.Sc. (Hons) Nursing course from a selected nursing college in Bhopal participated. The subjects' were assessed using the Young's Internet Addiction Test and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Results: Majority 159(93%) of the subjects' mentioned that they use internet for social networking. Around 154(90%) students used internet for education and 144(84%) of them accessed internet for the entertainment purpose. Mobile phone was the main source for accessing internet for almost all of the students (99.4%). Around 167(96.5%) students accessed internet during college hours and 156(91.2 %) of them access internet at their living place. Around 23(13.3%) of them mentioned that they spent more than Rs.500 for internet use. Almost half 91(53.2 %) of the subjects' accessed internet during night time. One third of the subjects' 82(48%) spent on internet for about 1 to 3 hours a day. Conclusion: The results very clearly highlighted that majority of the subjects reported to have average use of internet; while, the finding about sleep quality is quiet alarming. It is important to address the negative consequences of problematic internet use and to initiate strategies to augment the positive indicators of mental health among the youth.