Kanu Prosper Ayenmo, Ugbe Maurice-Joel, Enyievi Peter Bassey, Ebri Emmanuel Onen, Omini Blessing Ifere, Imo Uchenna Frank
Department of Public Health, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
Discov Ment Health. 2025 Aug 8;5(1):117. doi: 10.1007/s44192-025-00262-x.
Given the advent of the internet and its growing resources as well as the availability of smart mobile phones among the younger generation, Problematic Internet Use (PIU) has become a globally identified contemporary issue of public health concern. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, self-reported effects, and associated factors of problematic internet use among in-school adolescents in Calabar Municipality, Nigeria.
A descriptive cross-sectional study design and a multistage sampling technique were used to select 422 respondents systematically. The 18-item Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale (PRIUSS) was adopted as instrument. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics and inferential analysis (chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression models) were applied to measure associations and effects."
The findings in this study revealed a 62.6% prevalence of PIU. Chi-square tests showed significant associations between PIU and female gender, caregiver's low education, living with siblings, parental unawareness, loneliness, idleness, isolation, low self-esteem, poor physical relationships (p ≤ 0.027). Multivariate analysis found lower odds of PIU among adolescents aged 15-19 (aOR = 0.236, p < 0.001), females (aOR = 0.557, p = 0.009), and those with primary-educated caregivers (aOR = 0.273, p = 0.008).
A multi-disciplinary approach is essential to regulate adolescent internet use in Nigeria, requiring coordinated efforts across individual, community, institutional, and policy levels, alongside promoting digital literacy and responsible online behaviour.
鉴于互联网的出现及其资源的不断增加，以及年轻一代中智能手机的普及，有问题的互联网使用（PIU）已成为一个全球公认的当代公共卫生问题。本研究旨在确定尼日利亚卡拉巴尔市在校青少年中有问题的互联网使用的患病率、自我报告的影响及相关因素。
采用描述性横断面研究设计和多阶段抽样技术，系统地选取了422名受访者。采用18项有问题和危险的互联网使用筛查量表（PRIUSS）作为工具。使用SPSS 23版进行数据分析。应用描述性统计和推断性分析（卡方检验和多元逻辑回归模型）来衡量关联和影响。
本研究结果显示，PIU的患病率为62.6%。卡方检验表明，PIU与女性性别、照顾者低教育程度、与兄弟姐妹同住、父母不知情、孤独、闲散、孤立、自卑、不良人际关系之间存在显著关联（p≤0.027）。多变量分析发现，15 - 19岁的青少年（调整后比值比[aOR]=0.236，p<0.001）、女性（aOR=0.557，p=0.009）以及照顾者为小学学历的青少年（aOR=0.273，p=0.008）患PIU的几率较低。
在尼日利亚，采取多学科方法来规范青少年的互联网使用至关重要，这需要个人、社区、机构和政策层面的协同努力，同时要提高数字素养和促进负责任的在线行为。
