SynthesisFrontiers in digital health2024
Prevalence of internet addiction and associated factors among university students in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Frontiers in digital health, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Mapping research on ICT addiction: a comprehensive review of Internet, smartphone, social media, and gaming addictions.Frontiers in psychology · 2025Pooled it
- Nonlinear Dose-Response Association Between Stressful Life Events and Probable Problematic Internet Use Among Chinese College Students: Cross-Sectional Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Article
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Abstract
Introduction: Internet addiction refers to the excessive and uncontrolled utilization of the Internet, which disrupts one's daily activities. The current state of knowledge regarding internet addiction in Ethiopia is limited. Consequently, the objective of this study is to ascertain the combined prevalence of Internet addiction and its correlated factors among university students in Ethiopia. Methods: To identify potential research findings, an extensive literature search was conducted using electronic databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The presence of heterogeneity between studies was assessed using Cochrane Q test statistics and I2 test statistics, while the effects of small studies were examined using Eggers statistical tests at a 5% significance level. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was carried out. A random effects model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence and associated factors of Internet addiction among students. The primary focus of this research was to determine the prevalence of Internet addiction, while the secondary aim was to identify the factors associated with Internet addiction. Results: To determine the overall prevalence of Internet addiction among university students in Ethiopia, a comprehensive analysis of 11 studies was conducted. The results of this study show that the pooled prevalence of Internet addiction was 43.42% (95% CI: 28.54, 58.31). The results also suggest that certain factors such as online gaming, depression, and current khat chewing are significantly associated with internet addiction among university students. Conclusions: In Ethiopia, about one-third of university students suffer from internet addiction. The prevalence of Internet addiction among Ethiopian students is associated with online gaming, depression, and concurrent khat consumption. Therefore, we strongly recommend that health planners and policymakers prioritize monitoring and addressing Internet use and addiction in the Ethiopian context.
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