Social media Addiction among undergraduate students in the College of Health Sciences Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
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Date
2024-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Globally, 4.48 billion people use social media, one hundred fifty million new users
have come online within the last twelve months, and on average, two hours and twenty-four
minutes are spent on social media per day per person. Two hundred and ten million people are
known to suffer from social media addiction. Hence, this study will determine the magnitude and
associated factors of social media addiction in undergraduate students in college of health sciences
Addis Ababa University
Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the magnitude of social media addiction, and
associated factors of social media addiction among undergraduate students in the College of Health
Sciences at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia 2024.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Addis Ababa University College of Health
Sciences; Sefere Selam Campus .The study population were undergraduate students in college of
health sciences sefere selam campus .A sample of 385 students were recruited using stratified
simple random sampling. The data was collected using a structured, self-administered
questionnaire using ODK and analyzed using SPSS version 25 data analysis software. Multiple
Linear regression was used to identify the predictors of social Media addiction.
Results: The prevalence of social media addiction among undergraduate health science students
at Addis Ababa University was 44.4%. The age group 18-19 and 20-22 showed the highest
prevalence of social media addiction (47.3%) and (47.19%) respectively. The mean hour spent on
social media per day was 3.75 hours .Social media addiction significantly varies across different
age groups, departments and gender. The predictors of social media addiction were sex p value
<0.000 β (.131) ,95% CI (2.388, 7.584), age p value < 0.005 β ( -.089), 95% CI (-1.979,-0.359),
self-esteem p value <0.002 β ( -.103) 95% CI (-1.535,-0.325), average hour spent on social media
p value<0.000 β (.216),95%CI (1.557, 3.079) and psychological distress p value<0.000 β ( .612)
95% CI (1.258, 1.589).
Conclusion: In conclusion, nearly half percentage of students are addicted to social media (44.7%)
Mental wellness of the students such as level of psychological distress (high) and Low level of
self-esteem are predisposing students for addiction to social Media . MOH, MOE and AAU shall
be aware of growing addiction to social media in undergraduate students in college of health
sciences Addis Ababa University and plan on expanding students’ refreshment centers, open
discussion platforms and plan on possible solution for the growing addiction to social media by
involving students and researchers.
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Keywords
social media, social media addiction, self-esteem, psychological distress scale, young internet addiction test