PREVALENCE, RISK FACTORS, ADVERSE EFFECTS AND STEPS TO OVERCOME INTERNET ADDICTION AMONG ADOLESCENTS ATTENDING TUITION CENTRES IN KEPONG, KUALA LUMPUR

Abstract

Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence, risk factors, adverse effects and steps to overcome internet addiction among adolescents attending tuition centres in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted among 253 students aged between 10 and 19 years old in two selected tuition centres that were located in Kepong. Data collection was carried out in September 2016 using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire consists of four parts including socio-demographic, Chen Internet Addiction Questionnaire (CIAS), adverse effects of internet addiction questionnaire and steps to overcome internet addiction. Adverse effects of internet addiction were studied based on five major aspects: interpersonal, behavioural, physical, psychological and academic. The CIAS questionnaire was used to determine internet addiction among adolescents participated in present study. CIAS was a self-reported instrument which consisted of 26 items and rated based on 4-point Likert scale. The score for CIAS is ranged from 26 to 104 and a cut-off points of 64 was set. The screening cut-off points has high diagnostic accuracy (88%) and specificity (92.6). The internal reliability of the scale and subscales ranged from 0.79 to 0.93. Results The prevalence of internet addiction among adolescents participated in this study was 27.3%. Multivariate analysis revealed that the adolescents who spent longer time online and having high internet speeds were significantly associated with internet addiction. Based on the five major aspects of adverse effect in this study, adolescents were greatly affected on interpersonal and psychological aspects. The perception of adolescents revealed that by gradually reducing online hours, substitute internet usage with healthier activities and family support were the best ways to overcome internet addiction. Conclusion The findings of this study showed about the prevalence of internet addiction among adolescents attending the selected tuition centres in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur while factors associated with internet addiction included daily online hours (OR = 7.49, 95% CI = 3.23 , 17.33, p < 0.001) and internet speeds (OR = 3.57, 95% CI = 1.10 , 11.55, p = 0.014). Key words: Internet addiction, Kuala Lumpur, adolescent, tuition centre