Problematic Internet Use, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Among University of Nairobi Students

Abstract

Internet use among university students has risen worldwide. Despite its many advantages, there are rising concerns about the risks and negative consequences accrued from continued internet use especially around one’s psychological well-being. This study sought to determine the prevalence of problematic internet use among the students of The University of Nairobi and find out the relationship it has with the distress conditions anxiety, stress and depression among the students. The study involved descriptive cross-sectional research design. The 190 study participants were randomly sampled from three stratified UON schools. The study used C.I.U.S, DASS-21 and a socio-demographic questionnaire as instruments of data collection that were approved by (NACOSTI) and (KNH-UoN ERC). The study showed that a greater number of the respondents were from the CHSS (50%), in 2nd year of schooling (31.6%) and were females (54%) with mean age of 23years. Anxiety was most prevalent, at 132(69.5%), depression 126(66.3%) and stress 71(37.4%). Most respondents had moderate and severe levels of PIU at 100(52.6) % and 66(34.7%). On the relationship between PIU and depression was (p=0.000, AOR=4.941, 95% CI 2.078-11.752), stress (p=0.071, AOR= 3.342, 95% CI 1.624-6.878) and anxiety (p=0.001, AOR=3.798, 95% CI 0.957-15.068). On relationship between PIU and respondents characteristics, Year of study (p=0.019) and college belonging (0.032) showed significant association with PIU with no significant relationship with sex/gender (p=0.882) and age (p=0.493). Relationship between PIU and significant respondents factors being (CAE; AOR=1.659, 95% CI 0.753-3.653); (CHS; AOR=0.547, 95% CI 0.217-1.375); (1st year AOR=0.770, 95% CI 0.130-4.557); (2nd year AOR=0.311, 95% CI 0.087-1.113); (3rd year AOR=0.589, 95% CI 0.161-2.163); (4th year AOR=0.469, 95% CI 0.132-1.663).The study ascertains there being significantly high levels of PIU and a strong association of the problem with similarly significantly high conditions of depression, anxiety and stress.