Research Article
Suyash Vyas, Deepali Agrawal,
Abstract
Introduction: The internet, one of the important scientific developments in this field, provides a wealth of information in relation to diseases, therapeutic procedures and pharmaceutical products. It has a lower cost as compared to paper based dissemination of information and also has an added advantage of being available worldwide instantly on demand. Therefore, there is a need not only to equip Dental fraternity with adequate skills for use of internet but also to make internet facility available in institutions providing Dental education and healthcare. Aim: The aim of this study is to find out the use of computers and internet and the purpose of using the internet among undergraduate and postgraduate dental students and faculty members compare male to female ratio of using internet. Materials and Methods: Internet addiction questionnaire consisting of 20 questions were distributed among the Dental Undergraduate and postgraduate students and faculty members. No specific sampling technique was employed for selecting the study subjects. Data was analyzed using EpiInfo. Chi-square test was used to find out statistical significance of differences in proportions. A p-value of <0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: As per the results the male dental students uses internet more than female dental students doing extracurricular activities besides educational work. The productivity and work performance of male dental students suffer more than female students due to prolonged internet use. Male dental students also hide their online time and become more defensive and secretive when someone bothers them online. So almost 50 % are at the verge of internet addiction and they have to be monitored properly.