Uso de internet y niveles de dependencia entre estudiantes de Medicina Humana

Abstract

Objective: To determine the characteristics of use and levels of dependency Internet in medical students of Lima, and determine the relationship between these variables. Methods: A descriptive, observational, and medical students the third year of three universities: Universidad San Martin de Porres, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos and Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (N = 308). Two instruments were used: 1) Questionnaire on the characteristics of Internet use, 2) dependence test, IAT modified and validated (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.91). Results: The mean age was 20 years. There is a daily use with an average of 4 hours per day. The type of use was predominantly academic (100%), followed by communication, social interaction and recreation. By gender, it was observed that men had more problems on the control of Internet usage (36.5%). Most users with common problems found in the San Marcos University (35.4%), continued by the UPCH (32.7%). The correlation of the pages orapplications used and the level of dependence (p <0.05) were obtained: Yahoo answers, Pokerstart, Facebook applications and Seriesyonkis. Conclusions: The population does not have high levels of dependence on the Internet. One third of the population (30.7%) had frequent problems about use. Not determined a correlation between the level of dependency and hours of use, this may be a characteristic of the population(Rev Horiz Med 2012; 12(3): 25-32)