Internet addiction, alcohol risky consumption, and gambling disorder among Palermo University hospital: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

BacKGrOUnD: the aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of gambling, internet addiction disease and the risk of alcohol consumption among workers of the “Paolo Giaccone” University hospital in Palermo. MethODs: the study employed a cross-sectional study design. an anonymous online survey was provided accompanied by informed consent. The questionnaire was structured into four parts. The first section investigates on socio-demographic information. in the other sections of the questionnaires were administered: internet addiction test, alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption and Canadian Problem Gambling Index. A multivariable logistic regression model was used and adjusted odds ratios (aOr) are presented. RESULTS: The final sample size consists of 1482 subjects (response rate 79.42%). The 2.29% of the employees are at risk of pathological alcohol consumption, 0.47% has several problems due to the internet, and 2.77% are considered problematic gambling players. The several problems due to the internet is significantly associated with the following independent variables: age at increasing unit (aOr 0.71), at risk for consumption of alcohol (aOr 92.37), at risk for gambling (aOr 53.67). CONCLUSIONS: Along with the growing availability of information technology, individuals may experience adverse outcomes when internet usage is combined with alcohol risky consumption and gambling. since the increased access to addictive substances/behaviors leads to higher rates of addiction, future prospective studies and preventive measures should be implemented to reduce internet use, alcohol assumption and gambling in this population.