Internet Pornography Use Among Medical Students in India: Extent and Effect

Abstract

Background: Medical students are more susceptible to stress associated with long working hours, arduous studies, and living alone away from the home, which may affect their psychological well-being. They may indulge in the use of internet and pornography to ameliorate their stress. Internet is one of the main sources of pornographic content as it is easily available, affordable, and accessible. Objective: The current study seeks to quantitatively estimate the extent of internet addiction and pornography use among medical students in India, and its effect on their general well-being. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in a medical college in North India involving undergraduate (including interns) and postgraduate medical students. Those using internet for porn use were assessed using a semi-structured sociodemographic questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire 30, WHO Quality of Life Index (WHOQOL)-BREF, and Internet Addiction Test (IAT). Results: A total of 393 medical students who agreed on their pornography internet usage were recruited for the study. Problematic pornography internet usage (moderate and 0severe IAT scores) was seen in 11% (80) of the participants. Male and married students were more likely to be problematic users. The mean duration of pornography use was 8.02±6.32 h/week. The time spent on pornography use positively correlated with IAT and General Health Questionnaire scores, whereas it negatively correlated with WHOQOL-BREF scores. Conclusions: Internet pornography use is significantly prevalent amongst medical students in India. As the duration of pornography use increases, general health measures and quality of life decrease, which may impact their well-being and academic performance.

Cybersex Addiction in Benin Schools (2023)

“…A. Wéry et al [7] 2014 in Canada, evoked a predominance of the disorder in two-thirds of men. The same is true with Kumar et al [12] 2022 in India, who reported a male predominance of 68%. A similarly high prevalence of addiction to cybersexuality was reported by Satyanaraya et al [18] 2021 in India and by Beutel et al [16] 2017 in Germany.…”

“…Several other authors have reported a similar prevalence. These include Vipin K et al [12] in India in 2022, who found a prevalence of 11% in a population of medical students, R. Ballester et al [13] (10.8%) in a population of Spanish teenagers in 2015, Giordano et al [6] who found a prevalence of 10.3% in a population of schoolchildren in the USA in 2017, and V. Cordonnier et al [14] (10%)…”

Understanding Serial Mediators of Problematic Pornography Use in Pakistani Men and Women

“…For example, 67.5% of 16–24-year-olds from urban areas of Pakistan reported regularly viewing pornographic content [ 39 ]. This rate compares with another recent Asian subcontinent study from India in which 54% of respondents reported Internet pornography use, 11% of whom were problematic users [ 42 ], and also with a recent Malaysian study on college students that found that over 74%—mostly males—reported regular exposure to pornography [ 43 ].…”

Childhood sexual abuse, internet addiction, problematic pornography use, and depression among medical students in Bangladesh

“…Another study in Bangladesh found around 58.4% of undergraduate students were highly involved with PPU [21]. Studies in India suggest a concerning prevalence of PPU among medical students, with estimates ranging from 11% [22] to 12.5% [23]. PPU may contribute to depression in people who are addicted, can disrupt real-life relationships, leading to social isolation, and may contribute to mood disorders [24,25].…”