We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Noor Azwani binti Raduan has successfully defended her Doctor of Public Health thesis titled “Prevalence and Factors Associated with Internet Addiction Among Adolescents in Penang: A Cross Sectional Study.” This groundbreaking research provides crucial insights into the growing concern of internet addiction among Malaysian youth.
She was supervised by Professor Dr. Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki and Dr. ‘Abqariyah Yahya@Ahmad Noor. We would like to thank Professor Dr. Siti Munira Yasin from Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA and Assoc. Prof Dr. Nik Daliana Nik Farid for examining the thesis and Professor Dr. Lai Siew Mei Pauline for chairing the Viva Voce session, Professor Dr. Shahrul Bahyah Kamaruzzaman, Deputy Dean (Post Graduate) and Professor Dr. Victor CW Hoe the Head of Department for their participation in the viva voce.
Dr. Noor Azwani’s comprehensive study, involving 2,048 secondary school students across Penang, reveals that approximately 66% of adolescents exhibit symptoms of internet addiction1. This alarming statistic underscores the urgency of addressing this issue in our increasingly digital world.
Key findings from Dr. Noor Azwani’s research include:
- Factors associated with increased risk of internet addiction:
- Older adolescents
- Residing in certain districts
- Coming from high-income families
- History of smoking
- Early access to personal gadgets
- Spending more than 3 hours daily online
- The importance of social connectedness:
- Low connectedness with fathers, school, and peers in school were associated with higher risk of internet addiction
- Interestingly, high connectedness with friends was also linked to increased risk
Dr. Noor Azwani’s work highlights the complex interplay of factors contributing to internet addiction among adolescents. Her findings emphasize the need for early screening measures and increased public awareness about this issue1. Moreover, the study underscores the crucial role of fathers and schools in potentially mitigating internet addiction risks.
This research aligns with growing concerns about internet addiction in Malaysia, where previous studies have shown prevalence rates ranging from 23% to 43% among adolescents and university students. Dr.Noor Azwani’s work contributes valuable data to this field, particularly in understanding the unique factors affecting Penang’s youth.
We commend Dr. Noor Azwani binti Raduan for her outstanding contribution to public health research. Her work provides a solid foundation for developing targeted interventions and policies to address internet addiction among Malaysian adolescents. Congratulations once again on this significant achievement!
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