Virtual Social Networks Addiction and High-Risk Group among Health Science Students in Iran: A Latent Class Analysis

Samaneh   Torkian; Neda  Malek Mohammadi; Mehdi   Mohammadizadeh; Armita  Shahesmaeili

doi:10.18502/jhs.v10i1.9105

Samaneh Torkian Ph.D. Student, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Neda Malek Mohammadi Ph.D. Student of Epidemiology, Student Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Mehdi Mohammadizadeh MSc., Student, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Armita Shahesmaeili Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, HIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Science, Kerman, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jhs.v10i1.9105

Keywords: Social Networks; Internet Addiction Disorder; Students; Prevalence; Latent Class Analysis

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Virtual social networks (VSNs) are among the most popular communication paths that have become an integral part of most people's lives, including students. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of VSNs addiction and their related factors, and identify the patterns of addictive-related factors among the students in Kerman, Iran in 2019.

Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted on 400 students from Kerman University of Medical Sciences. The study instrument was a standardized questionnaire. Descriptive analysis, logistic regression models, and latent class analysis were used to analyze the data. The data were analyzed using SPSS26, Stata12 and WinLTA (v. 3.1) software.

Results: 50% of the participants were male, staying in dormitory. The number of individuals in the levels of education in the four groups was equal. Around 0.5% of the students were addicted and 36.5% were at the risk of addiction to VSNs. The most commonly used VSNs was the Telegram (76.8%), and most students (28.8%) spent between 2-3 hours a day on VSNs. In the multivariate model, using 1-2 hours (AOR = 3.33, 95% CI: 1.07 - 10.19), 2-3 hours (AOR = 7.33, 95% CI: 2.50 - 21.52) and more than 3 hours a day (AOR = 18.54, 95% CI: 6.05 - 56.8) of VSNs were associated with an increased odds of being at the risk of VSNs addiction. The Latent Class Analysis showed that high-risk addictive factors including using Telegram for entertainment, providing accommodation in the dormitory, and having a graduate degree significantly influenced the classification.

Conclusion: More than one-third of Kerman college students were found to be at the risk of VSNs addiction. Providing appropriate interventions including alternative activities as well as raising knowledge especially for undergraduate students is urgently needed.