Prevalence and correlates of problematic pornography use among undergraduate medical students in Egypt

Abstract

Objective

Pornography use can become addictive when a person loses control of watching sexual materials, such as sex graphic images and movies, and is unable to stop doing so despite negative consequences. Pornography addiction is a disorder that can impair mental health, behavior, and performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and correlates of problematic pornography use among medical students in Egypt.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 614 undergraduate medical students selected from each of the 6 academic years at a faculty of medicine in Egypt. The short version of the problematic pornography consumption scale (PPCS-6) was used to determine problem pornography use. Sociodemographic information and academic performance data were collected, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) was administered to assess depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms.

Results

Nearly one-quarter (23.3%) of students had problematic pornography use. Problematic pornography use was associated with older age and male sex. Students with problematic pornography use reported fewer hours studying and had lower test scores in the previous year than those without problematic pornography use. Medical students with problematic pornography had significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms compared to those without.

Conclusions

Problematic pornography use is a common problem among medical students at a university in Egypt, is present in nearly one-quarter of students, and is significantly associated with older age, male sex, and depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms, as well as poorer academic performance.