The Prevalence of Internet Gaming Disorder and its Associated Factors Among College Students in Saurashtra Region, Gujarat, India

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Community medicine, Shantbaa medical College & general Hospital, Amreli, India

2 Department of Community medicine, Swaminarayan Institue of medical Sciences and Research, kalol, Gandhinagar, India

3 Shantbaa medical College & general Hospital, Amreli, India

10.34172/ahj.2024.1451

Abstract

Background: Internet gaming has become popular in the last few decades; however, very few studies have been conducted on 
internet gaming in India. This study aimed to investigate internet gaming disorder (IGD), its prevalence, gaming behavior, and 
effects as well as multiple factors associated with its emergence among college students.
Methods: This cross-sectional study involved a group of 150 college students. Data were collected using a semi-structured 
questionnaire containing the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF). Statistical analysis was done using Jamovi 
software.
Findings: A total of 150 college student gamers were involved with a mean age of 18.69±0.10 years. The mean IGD score 
was 18.74 with a standard deviation of 0.53, while the median score was 18. The prevalence of IGD was 5.3% among the 
participants. The IGD prevalence was higher in male students and those whose mothers had a high school diploma or higher. 
Gamers who spent more than2 hours a day on games had significantly higher IGD scores (P<0.05). A significant association was 
also found between tingling/numbness in the hand while playing and physical pain with IGD (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Spending more time playing online games was significantly associated with a higher risk of IGD. One negative 
consequence of IGD is the development of physical health issues. It is important to raise awareness about the physical health 
consequences of excessive gaming among students, parents, institutions, and concerned authorities

Highlights

Yamini Gurjar: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Nikita Savani: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Himalay Joshi: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Margi Jani: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Rajveersinh Jadeja: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Abhishek Jani: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Harsh Hirpara: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Jaydip Jambukiya: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Keywords


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