Prevalence and risk factors associated with Internet gaming disorder

Abstract

Background: Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is an entity of clinical attention prominent among schoolgoing students. The reported nature and extent of Internet gaming varies widely, as does the extent of its effects. Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of IGD and factors associated with it. Methods: After institution ethics approval, individual assent, and parental consent, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 142 students of a school in western Maharashtra. A specially designed sociodemographic pro forma and IGD Scale were administered to the students. Data thus generated were statistically analyzed and compared with published literature. Results: The prevalence of IGD was 10.6% among 13–19-year-old students. It was significantly higher among male students (15.3%) than female students (3.5%). Multivariate logistic regression found IGD to be significantly associated with male gender and lower age at first gameplay. Conclusions: IGD affects a tenth of our schoolgoing population with a male preponderance. Lower age at first gameplay had an adverse association.