Problematic Internet Use Among Patients Taking Opioid Substitution Therapy at Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences

Abstract

Introduction: Problematic internet use among patient who are diagnosed as Opioid dependence syndrome and under treatment with opioid substitution therapy is increasing in general population. The aim of this study is to identify the prevalence of problematic internet use among patient taking opioid substitution therapy and its association with various socio-demographic variables.

Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was carried out among patient taking opioid substitution therapy at Pokhara Academy of Health Sciences. Total 79 patients who consented for the study were enrolled. Youngs Internet addiction test questionnaire and semi-structured proforma were applied during the study period.

Results: The mean age was 29.4 years (SD ± 6.03). We found problematic internet use among 59.5% of patients out of which 39.2 % had mild and 20.3% had moderate addiction. Majority (75.9%) of the participants followed hindu religion, Nearly half (48.1%) of participants had studied up to school level, 58.2% were unmarried and more than half (51.9%) were unskilled. Problematic internet use was higher among patients with higher formal education, semiskilled and unskilled manpower and unmarried but were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Problematic internet use was high in patients taking opioid substitution therapy. Problematic internet use was high with patients with higher level of educational achievement, unskilled and semiskilled manpower and unmarried.