Relationship between internet use and gingivitis among preparatory-year students in Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Studies linked (1) Gingivitis is caused by plaque accumulation due to improper brushing. Internet (2, 3) internet to particular diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes addiction may be linked to gingivitis due to lack of time needed for proper oral health. There is inadequacy of studies investigating the association between internet (4) practices use and gingivitis. This is needed to develop preventive programs. We hypothesize that high internet use would result in gingival health problems. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the association of internet use and gingivitis among preparatory year students in Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, in 2017 including preparatory year students in University of Dammam (N = 998). A random sample was stratified by gender and academic track. The exposure was internet use measured by a standardized internet addiction test (IAT) and categorized into low internet use and frequent internet use. The outcome was gingivitis diagnosed using gingival bleeding score of the World Health Organization (WHO) with 20 examiners calibrated against a gold standard (Kappa > 0.6). Disposable mirrors and probes were used under daylight. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 24. Data was expressed as frequencies/percent and mean/standard deviation. Association was assessed using T test and P value of ≤0.05 was set as significant. Results: Total number of participants was 998 with response rate 94.5%. The mean age of students was 19.7 (SD = 2.59) years old. Male students were 258 (24%) and female students were 740 (76%). Low internet use was 481 (50.9%) and frequent internet use was 463 (49.1%). Mean gingivitis with bleeding was 8.56 (SD = 15.22). There was no association between internet use and gingivitis (P = 0.68).