Cross sectional study on the use of social network sites and the health profile of its users between the age 18 to 24 from Delhi

Abstract

Background: Launched in February 2004, facebook has more than 1.19 billion active users as of July 2012.These social networking sites (SNS) have heralded a new era in how individuals socially interact. Research shows that SNS use is associated with moderate to severe depression. This addiction is virtually same as to nicotine as Face- book Depression and Facebook Anxiety Disorder (FAD) came into picture. In order to find out the future implica- tions of the use of SNS by young population on their health and well being , current study has been planned. Aims: 1) To study the pattern of use of social networking sites amongst population aged 18 to 24 years from Delhi. 2)To find out the prevalence of anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder amongst the users of social networking sites in the age group of 18 to 24 years from Delhi. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on college going students between the age group of 18 to 24 from New Delhi. The sample size was calculated to be 470. Self prepared questionnaires were distributed to the participants that helped us assess their pattern of use of SNS. The prevalence of anxiety was assessed by using Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM- A), 14 item scale and the presence of OCD was assessed by Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale(Y-BOCS), a 10 item scale. Data was en- tered in Microsoft Excel sheets and analysed using spss 16.0. Chi square test was used as a test of significance and p value for association was kept < 0.005. Results: Our study has demonstrated a prevalence of Mild to Moderate Anxiety (21%) in SNS users and Mild to Moderate OCD in SNS users. A significant association was observed be- tween Anxiety and OCD in SNS users (p=0.0013) and Substance abuse (p=0.0015) and Concentration problems (p=0.0001) in those with higher OCD was observed too. An association was seen between substance abuse(p=0.0019),weight gain(p=0.0039) and concentration problems (p=0.0156) and SNS use. A higher prevalence of eyestrain , headache ,backache, mood swings in those who had higher OCD for SNS use. A higher use of these sites is associated with lying and stalking on net, poor social adjustment, loneliness in real world and distractions from lectures. Conclusion: Youngsters are willing to compromise their health, social life, studies for having their friends available at the push of button and are satisfied with these virtual communities. Subjects showed multiple signs of SNS associated addiction, anxiety and OCD and were having an overall negative impact on their health profile. A modified and controlled use of these sites is beneficial as well as enjoyable .Children less than 15 years of age should not be allowed to use these sites.