SOCIO DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNET ADDICTION AMONG ADOLESCENT AGE 12 – 17 IN MALAYSIA : NHMS 2017

Introduction: Internet addiction is an issue of growing concern especially among the adolescent in many countries. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the association between Internet Addiction (IA) and Socio Demo factors among adolescents age 12-17 in Malaysia. Methodology: A secondary data analysis was performed using the nationwide Adolescent Health Survey (AHS) data. Then, data were analysed descriptively & the association between the demographic characteristics and internet addiction were analysed using multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results: 29% prevalence of internet addiction. Form 5 student (OR = 2.685; 95% CI: 2.273, 3.172) were more likely to develop IA as compare to Form 1 students. Urban adolescents (OR = 1.393; 95% CI: 1.235,1.571) were more likely to develop IA as compare to rural adolescents. Conclusion: Individuals with certain characteristics appear to be significantly associated with IA. Policy and measures need to be taken to improve the digital citizenship, particularly those with certain characteristics that were associated with internet addiction.