Video game addiction among Tunisian adolescents in Sousse: A cross-sectional study in high schools

Background

Addiction to video games is a theme regularly mentioned and associated with the risks that concern adolescents. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of video game addiction (VGA) among adolescents and identify its associated factors.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study within public high schools, in Sousse, Tunisia in 2019. The target population was high school students. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data about sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, and mental health disorders, and we used the 21-item Game Addiction Scale to objectify video game addiction. Statistical analysis was carried out using the program SPSS v.20.

Results

A total of 1342 participants were recruited for the study,36.8% of whom were boys. The average age was 17.5 ±1.44 years. The analysis of mental health disorders showed that 67% were anxious, 66.8% were alexithymic, 65.4% were depressed and 39% had low self-esteem. The analysis of lifestyle behaviors showed that a lack of physical activity was reported by 57.6% of participants. Problematic use of the Internet (>2 hours per day) was reported among 72.4% of the students. The prevalence of video game addiction was 13%. Boys were more prone to be addicted than girls (66.2% versus 33.8%, p < 0.001). ≥17 years old students had a higher rate of VGA than those aged<17 years old (57.3% vs 42.7%, p = 0.031). VGA was higher among students who follow the non-scientific study section (69.4%, p = 0.007). Students who had moderate depression had the highest percentages of VGA (35.7%, p = 0.005). Students who had problematic use of the internet were more addicted to video games (80.3%) than those not having problematic use (19.7%), p = 0.009.

Conclusions

This study allowed us to identify the students who are vulnerable to VGA. Also, a huge responsibility is accorded to school staff and parents to tackle this health problem by sensitizing their children and setting up some protective family rules.

Key messages

• Several factors were significantly associated with video game addiction, especially problematic internet use.

• Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms of video game addiction and to explore effective preventive or interventional strategies.

Characteristics of COVID-19 cases with breakthrough infection in the governorate of Sousse, Tunisia

Introduction

In early 2021, Tunisia implemented a national COVID-19 strategy of vaccination aimed at disease elimination. In this study, we aimed to investigate the characteristics of the breakthrough COVID-19 infection in the governorate of Sousse, Tunisia.

Methodology

We conducted a cross-sectional study including all post-vaccination COVID-19 cases from March 2021 to August 2021. We collected data via 15-minute telephonic call interviews. We estimated the specific incidence rates (SIR) of confirmed cases by vaccine type and expressed them as cases per 100 000 inhabitants. Statistical analyzes were carried out using anonymous and codified Excel tables and SPSS 20.

Results

Overall, we included 618 cases of breakthrough COVID-19 infection. The majority were female (sex-ratio=0.8), and the average age of the overall cases was 55.7±14.5 years (range:19-91). Nearly half (49%) of participants had comorbidities, 19.6% were healthcare workers, and 17.9% were smokers. The majority of cases (70%) received at least one dose of Pfizer vaccine followed by CORONAVAC (15.6%; n = 96). Nevertheless, we found a higher incidence rate of COVID-19 among those vaccinated with SPUTNIK V (SIR=1551.2) followed by SINOPHARM (SIR=823.7). Fifty-eight percent of patients reported a poor adhesion to preventive measures, whereas 38.6% reported high respect for the preventive measures. COVID-19 infection led to hospitalization in 8.1% of cases, hospitalization in intensive care units in 2.1% of cases, and death in 1.8% of cases.

Conclusions

The findings of our study highlight the low rate of severe cases of COVID-19 among the vaccinated population. Furthermore, we found a discrepancy in the effectiveness of vaccines in the prevention of transmission potential. Yet, many factors could influence the transmission and the severity of COVID-19 breakthrough infection from one region to another.

Key messages

• low rate of severe cases of COVID-19 among the vaccinated population.

• discrepancy in the effectiveness of vaccines in the prevention of transmission potential.

Isostrain among tourism employees in Tunisia during COVID-19 pandemic

Background

Psychological and social factors related to work activity can improve or deteriorate the physical and mental health of employees. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the psychological well-being of workers has been strongly affected. Particularly, jobs with isostrain characterized by high work demands and low work control, coupled with low social support, place employees at highest risk for poor mental health. We aimed to assess the factors associated with isostrain among employees in the tourism sector in Sousse.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted between September and November 2020 among tourism workers belonging to 12 hotels and restaurants in Sousse, Tunisia, using a self-administered questionnaire. ‘Isostrain’ was assessed using the Karasek questionnaire. ‘Isostrain’ is a situation where there is a combination of ‘jobstrain’ (‘tension at work') and low social support (score below the median of the group). SPSS 20 software was used to analyze the data.

Results

A total of 226 workers were included. The mean age was 38.2 ± 9.6 years. The sex ratio was 2.7. The majority of employees (64.8%) were working at workplace during COVID-19 lockdown. The prevalence of isostrain was 5.4%. Isostrain was reported by 5.7% of women (p = 1). All workers older than 50 years did not have isostrain (p = 0.6). Moreover, isostrain was found among 6.6% of workers with less than 5 years of work experience (p = 0.4), 4.8% of married employees (p = 0.7), and 7.6% of employees with a university education (p = 0.53).

Conclusions

Isostrain can affect employees in the tourism sector. Social support should be promoted among workers to ensure good mental health.

Key messages

• Prevalence of isostrain in tourism sector of Sousse during COVID-19 pandemic is quite high.

• Preventive strategies of mental health should be promoted at workplace in Tunisia.

Co-occurring addiction problems among high school students in Sousse (Tunisia)

Background

Adolescence is a transitory period characterized by psychological, physical and emotional changes. Teenagers seek new experiences and engage in a range of risky behaviors, including the consumption of psychoactive substances that lead to addiction problems. Adolescent addiction represents a major public health and safety issue. Addictions co-occur in the same individual, increasing the risk of negative outcomes and health problems.

We aimed to determine the prevalence of occurring and co-occurring addiction behaviors among high school students in the region of Sousse and to specify the risk factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 5 to March 14, 2018 in public high schools in the governorate of Sousse. The data were collected by anonymous self-administered questionnaire, then processed and analyzed using the SPSS software version 10.

Results

A total of 1399 high school students were included in our study. An average age of 17±2.28 years and a female predominance (60.5%) were noted. The prevalence of tobacco product use and alcohol consumption was 20.9% and 10.1% respectively. The prevalence of illicit substance use was 7%. Facebook and video game addiction were reported among 36.1% and 35.3% high school students respectively. The analysis of co-occurring addiction problems showed that 12.2% and 4.5% had two and three addiction problems, respectively. Almost 3% of included adolescents had the maximum number of four addiction problems. Multivariate analysis showed that co-occurring addiction increases among boys, participants that repeated the grade and among those with moderate or severe depression, anxiety and alexithymia.

Conclusions

The findings have implications for identifying the risk factors of co-occurring addictive behaviors, and the development of primary prevention strategies resulting from such factors

Key messages

The prevalence of addictive behavior is very high in middle school students. Understanding the risk factors of co-occurrence addictive problems is important for prevention program planning.

Perceived Stress related to COVID-19 among Tunisian adults during the lockdown period

Background

Public health emergencies such as the Covid-19 pandemic can affect the health, safety and well-being of individuals and communities. This pandemic may lead to emotional reactions such as stress, anxiety and depression in the general population.

Aim

To evaluate the perceived stress among Tunisian adults during the period of lockdown.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted during the lockdown period targeting adults using online social networks. The data was collected through a “Google Form” questionnaire published on Face book. Perceived stress was measured using the ‘Perceived Stress scale'.

Results

A total of 164 adults participated in our study with a majority of women (77.4%) and a mean age of 34.57 ± 12.1 years. Almost half of our participants (48.1%) were from the Governorate of Sousse. Among the respondents, 58.5% felt in perpetual threat and only 15.4% knew how to manage their stress. Univariate analyses showed that perpetual threat was significantly associated with age (p = 0.015), being single (p = 0.03) jobless (p = 0.02), and spending more than one hour documenting on COVID-19 (p = 0.02). After adjusting to sex and age; the multivariate analysis showed a statistically significant association between stress level and anxiety p &lt; 10-3; OR: 8.62; IC [3.1-23.8]); fear of catching the virus (p = 0.031; OR: 3.10; IC [1.1-6.7]) and insomnia (p = 0.001; OR: 7.46; IC [2.4-24.7]).

Conclusions

Our results showed that there is a high prevalence of stress in the general population during confinement. A national program of population mental health management should be implemented along with the pandemic management.

Key messages

The COVID 19 may lead to emotional reactions such as stress, anxiety and depression in the general population. A national program of population mental health management should be implemented along with the pandemic management.

Social stigma among COVID-19 patients after quarantine in Sousse, Tunisia

Background

Assessing stigma related to COVID-19 is crucial to better understand the pandemic's impacts and establish effective stigma-reducing interventions. The aim of this study was to screen for stigma and evaluate its associated factors among adults with COVID-19 living in the governorate of Sousse (Tunisia).

Methods

A cross sectional study was conducted among a representative sample of patients with COVID-19 between the 6th of November and the 12th of December 2020 in the governorate of Sousse. The 12-item HIV stigma scale was translated in Arabic and then adapted to the Tunisian context.Three pre-trained medical doctors administrated the pre-tested Arabic questionnaire to each participant by phone calls. Higher scores reflect a higher level of perceived Covid-19-related stigma.

Results

Responses of 346 participants with COVID-19 infection were obtained. The majority of participants were females (60.4%) with a median age of 40 years (interquartile range, 30 to 54.5 years). Among them, 12.7% were health professionals and 12.5% had at least secondary educational level. Because of COVID-19 illness, 17.1% reported financial deterioration. We found mean scores of 14.6 ±4.07, 6.8±2.39 and 6.2±1.95 for social stigma, disclosure concerns and negative self-image dimensions respectively. Social stigma score was significantly higher among adults (14.9±3.9 versus 13.05±4.4 among elderly; p = 0.01) and people with low socioeconomic level (15.8±4.8 versus 14.3±3.8; p = 0.02). Lower scores of social stigma were found among health caregivers (13.3±2.6 versus 14.8±4.2; p = 0.002). Those factors remained as predictors of social stigma after linear regression analysis.

Conclusions

Screening for stigma is required in order to identify the most vulnerable patients and could prevent among them social repercussions. Psychological assistance of patients with social stigma would help them to overcome this crisis.

Key messages

Being adult with low socioeconomic level and not being health worker were determinants of social stigma.

Psychological assistance for COVID-19 patients is crucial to prevent social stigma repercussion during this outbreak.

Validation of the 12-item HIV-stigma scale adapted for use among Tunisian COVID-19 patients

Background

Although, there is a rapidly accumulating body of studies on the various aspects of COVID-19, little interest was given to develop valid specific scales measuring COVID-19-related stigma. The current study aims to testvalidity and reliability ofa modified version of the 12-item HIV Stigma Scale, adapted for adults with COVID-19 infection living in the region of Sousse (Tunisia).

Methods

A cross sectional study was conducted among patients with COVID-19 infection between November and December 2020. The 12-item HIV stigma scale was translated in Arabic and then adapted to the Tunisian context. A preliminary version with twenty items covering the four dimensions of COVID-19 stigma was tested (Personalised stigma, disclosure concerns, concerns with public attitudes and negative self-image). The psychometric evaluation included internal consistency as well as principal component analysis (PCA).

Results

Responses of 346 COVID-19 patients were obtained.Among participants, 60.4% were women with a median age of 40 years (interquartile range, 30 to 54.5 years). Evidence for internal validity was supported by a PCA, suggesting a three factor solution with fourteen items. The 14-item scale demonstrated good internal consistency. The global Cronbach'sα was 0.91, with values of 0.94, 0.93 and 0.98 for social stigma, negative self-image and disclosure concerns respectively.

Conclusions

The results suggest construct validity and reliability of the 14-item stigma scale measuring three aspects related to COVID-19 infection in Tunisia.

Key messages

The 14-item stigma scale is a good psychometric tool to be used in assessing COVID-19 related stigma in Tunisia.

Monitoring COVID-19 stigma with a valid and reliable would guide its prevention actions.

Incidence and predictor of tobacco experimentation among high-school adolescents of Sousse, Tunisia

Background

Tobacco use is considered one of the leading risk factors for early morbidity and mortality especially in developing countries. Initiation of tobacco use occurs usually during adolescence which is responsible for a longer time of exposure to nicotine and other constituents of tobacco products. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence and the factors associated with tobacco experimentation among high school students in the governorate of Sousse between 2017/2018 and 2018/2019.

Methods

A prospective longitudinal study was conducted in 4 high schools in the governorate of Sousse during the 2018-2019 school year. Pre-trained medical doctors ensured data collection using anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Collected data included socio-demographic and educational features, tobacco use, alcohol use, second hand smoking, illicit substances use, problematic internet use and mental health disorders.

Results

A total of 404 students were included in our study. The sex-ratio was 0.49 and the mean age of high school students was 16.4 (±1.1) years. At the end of the follow up, the incidence of tobacco experimentation among high school students was 9.7%. Problematic internet use was observed among the 36 (100%) adolescents who experimented tobacco while it was observed in 250 (79.9%) of who did not experiment tobacco during the follow up (p = 0.003). Otherwise, maternal tobacco use was the most influential factor on tobacco experimentation among participants with an odds ratio of: 7.1; 95% CI: 1.5-32.8) (p = 0,013).

Conclusions

Incidence of tobacco experimentation among the high school adolescents of Sousse is high. Second hand smoking and other addictive behaviors should be considered in order to reinforce the national prevention program of tobacco use.

Key messages

Reinforcement of the existing prevention program of tobacco use in Tunisia is required. Comprehensive prevention program of tobacco use taking into consideration the other addictive behaviors among adolescent and their entourage would be more effective.

Assessment of cardiovascular risk factors in the health care centers among a Tunisian adults

Background

Almost one third of deaths worldwide are attributable to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In Tunisia, although a national strategy for the management of high blood pressure and diabetes has been implemented since 1999, CVD still represent a common cause of death. Purpose: To evaluate the assessment of cardiovascular risk factors in the health care centers among the adults of the governorate of Sousse, Tunisia.

Methods

Cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 among 1977 adults living in 16 districts randomly selected from the delegations of the governorate of Sousse. Data collection was performed by trained doctors using a pre-tested questionnaire administered by interview to participants in their homes. Blood pressure and anthropometric measures were taken after each interview.

Results

The mean age of the participants was 39.8 (± 13.8) years. The sex ratio F/M was 1.54. Among patients with hypertension, 72% of were unbalanced; while 26.2% of participants without a history of hypertension had high blood pressure. Assessment of physical activity, dietary behaviors and weight in the health centers during the previous year, were reported by 28.3%, 32.6% and 36.5% of participants respectively. Assessment of smoking status and waist circumference were rarer with frequencies of 13.5% and 5.6% respectively.

Conclusions

The current national Tunisian program for diabetes and hypertension management should be reformed. Healthy life style promotion should integrate this national program.

Key messages

Dispite thenational strategy for the management of high blood pressure and diabetes in Tunisia; Cardio vascular disease still represent a common cause of death. The current national Tunisian program for diabetes and hypertension management should be reformed.

Video Game addiction among a Tunisian cohort of adolescents: Incidence and associated factors

Background

The concept of Video Game addiction is not yet recognized in the scientific literature. However, several authors suggest relating excessive video game attachment to addiction behavior, especially among adolescents. The aim of the study is to determine the incidence of video game addiction and its associated risk factors among high school students during the 2018/2019 school year in the governorate of Sousse.

Methods

A prospective longitudinal study with a one-year follow-up was conducted among 404 high school students enrolled in four high schools randomly selected from the governorate of Sousse. The same questionnaire was self-administered to participants in their classrooms in 2017/2018 and then in 2018/2019. The Arabic version of the ‘Game Addiction Scale for Adolescents' was used to detect possible video game addiction.

Results

The mean age of participants was 16.4 ± 1.1 years. Girls represented 66.8% of the sample. During the 2018/2019 school year, 25 adolescent became addicted to video games, with an incidence rate of 6.2%. This incidence was of 10.4% among boys and 4.1% among girls (p = 0.012). Smoking, experimenting cannabis and inhalants were significantly associated with the transition to video game addiction with odds ratio of 3.3 [1.1-9.5], 8.0 [1.9-34.3] and 12.1 [2.5-57.6] respectively.

Conclusions

The current study highlights the extent of video game addiction among adolescents in the governorate of Sousse. A comprehensive approach to prevent and manage cross addictions must be implemented in the schools of Tunisia.

Key messages

Incidence of video game addiction is high in high-school adolescents of Sousse. Comprehensive prevention program targeting behavioral addictions and substances use is required in Tunisia.

Cannabis use in high school adolescents of SousseTunisia: Incidence and predictors

Background

Adolescence is a period of physical, psychological and social transformation. It is during adolescence that people are introduced to psychoactive substances such as cannabis. Understanding the predictors of this risk behavior, would help dealing with this problem more efficiently. The current study aimed to determine the incidence and the predictors of cannabis use among high school students in Sousse governorate between 2017/2018 and 2018/2019

Methods

A prospective longitudinal study was conducted in four high schools in the governorate of Sousse during the period from 15/09/2017 to 30/06/2019. Pre-tested self-administered questionnaire served to collect data anonymously among participants about their socio-demographic characteristics, cannabis use, tobacco use, use of electronic cigarettes, illicit substances use, sedentary behavior and mental health disorders among them.

Results

A total of 404 students were included in our study. The average age of participants was 16.4 (±1.1) years. The cumulative incidence of cannabis use among high school students was 2.2%, (95%CI: 0.8%-3.6%). School failure, anxiety problem, cigarette smoking, vaping and illlicit substances use among friends were found to be significantly associated with cannabis experimentation among them. Whereas its most influential factors were: Current cigarette smoking and current vaping with adjusted odds ratio of: 12.9; 95% CI: 2.4-70.2) and 7.2; 95% CI: 1.3-38.8 respectively.

Conclusions

This study highlights the association between cigarette and e-cigarette smoking and cannabis use. Future prevention interventions should focus on these risk behaviors with regard to the environmental context.

Key messages

Cannabis use is not rare among the adolescents of Sousse, Tunisia. Adolescents represent vulnerable sub-group that merit special attention regarding substances use.

Tobacco use among middle school pupils in Sousse, Tunisia across three years of monitoring

Background

Tobacco use represents a major risk factor for incident disability-adjusted life years among adolescents especially in developing countries. In Tunisia, a national strategy to reduce tobacco use was set up since 2008. However, no surveillance system was implemented to evaluate it.

Objective

To examine trends in tobacco use among middle school children in Sousse, Tunisia between 2014 and 2016 and to determine predictors of its experimentation.

Methods and findings

Three cross-sectional studies were conducted in 2013/2014, 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 school years among middle school-children randomly selected from the governorate of Sousse-Tunisia. The required sample size for each study was 760 participants. Each year, the same procedure was used to recruit pupils from the same middle schools. The same pre-tested questionnaire was self-administered anonymously to participants in their classrooms.

Results

Lifetime tobacco use rose from 11% in 2013/2014 to 17.3% in 2015/2016 (p = 0.001). Across the three years of survey, predictors of lifetime tobacco use were: The male gender (OR, 95% CI: 4.4 [3.2-6.1]), age above 13 (OR, 95% CI:2.3 [1.7-3.1]), lifetime illicit substances use (OR, 95% CI: 3.9 [1.1- 13.8), lifetime inhalant products use (OR, 95% CI:2.2 [1.2-4.3]), tobacco use among the father (OR, 95% CI:2.2 [1.2-4.3]), tobacco use among siblings (OR, 95% CI:1.7 [1.2-2.4]) and current anxiety problem (OR, 95% CI: 1.8 [1.4-2.4]).

Conclusions

Tobacco experimentation is in expansion among the young adolescents of Sousse. Its prevention should integrate a comprehensive substances use prevention program with emphasis on second hand smoking and the associated mental health problems.

Key messages

More attention should be paid to young adolescents in order to prevent tobacco and other substances use among them. Second hand smoking and mental health problems should be considered when planning for prevention programs of tobacco use.

Compliance with home-quarantine and prognosis of COVID-19 among a cohort of Tunisian patients

Background

The COVID-19 disease has a spectrum ranging from asymptomatic infection to multi-organ dysfunction. Most patients with mild symptoms are isolated at home until recovery. However, compliance with home-quarantine and recovery are not warranted especially in developed countries where health capacity is poor. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate compliance with home-quarantine and the prognosis of COVID-19 among a cohort of patients isolated at home in the Governorate of Sousse, Tunisia.

Methods

Prospective longitudinal study of three months was led among a cohort of 375 patients with COVID-19 isolated at home. Participants were randomly selected from the new declared cases in the governorate of Sousse. Data were collected using a pre-established and pre-tested questionnaire administered during phone calls interviews with trained medical doctors.

Results

The median age of participants was 40.0 (IQR: 29.75-54.25) years. Females represented 60% of them. The average duration between close contact with symptomatic person and onset of symptoms was 4.01(±1.9) days. The most commonly reported symptoms were asthenia (51.7%), smell disturbance (50.4%), myalgia (41.9%) and ageusia (40.8%). Thirty two (8.5%) participants required hospitalization and 4 (1.0%) were transferred to intensive care units.The median delay for recovery was 18 days (IQR 17.1-18.9). Otherwise, 95 (25.4%) declared not respecting the quarantine and 111 (29.6%) of participants transmitted the infection to their family members.

Conclusions

Complications and intra-family transmission are frequent among COVID-19 patients isolated at home in Sousse. Accelerating the implementation of the Tunisian telemedicine law would provide a cost-effective solution for this problem.

Key messages

Isolation at home of COVID-19 patients should be associated with close monitoring by health professionals.

Individual prevention measures should be reinforced among patients isolated at home to limit intra-family spread of COVID-19.

Factors associated with the quality of life among paramedical students in Sousse governorate

Background

The process of paramedical education has been proved to be a challenging scenario that threatens students' physical and psychological health. Compared with students of the same age, paramedical students must be at higher occupational stress in adapting to their lifestyle. The academic pressure, severe daytime somnolence, lack of physical exercise and social interaction, can lead to a decreasing quality of life (QOL). The aim of our study was to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of paramedical students in Sousse governorate and to find the associated factors that caused the variations among these students.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the governorate of Sousse including a randomized sample of the nursing students during the 2017/2018 school year. The data were collected using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire including the 36-item short form survey (SF-36).

Results

A total of 448 students was included in the study with an average age of 20.74 (SD = 1.25) years and a sex-ratio of 0.70. The overall QOL score was 49.8 (SD = 11.6) with a significantly higher mental score impairment (45.3 (SD = 12.1)) than the physical score ((54.2 (SD = 15.6)). The independent associated factors with a decreasing HRQOL were: socioeconomic level, living away from family, means of transport, exams stress and insecurity in everyday life.

Conclusions

Our study showed a low score of QOL among health sciences students. HRQOL was influenced by socio-demographic, behavioral and environmental factors. Future interventions and programs should focus on these influencing factors in order to improve the quality of life among paramedical students.

Key messages

Knowledge of associated factors is important to implement appropriate programs. Findings may have important implications for institutions responsible for promoting active lifestyle.

Addictions and mental health disorders among adolescents: a cross-sectional study; Tunisia 2020

Introduction

Adolescence is a period of significant and rapid development, marked by the growing influence of peers, individual behavioral choices and increased risk taking, including addictive behaviors. Furthermore, association between these behaviors and mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression and low self-esteem, has been demonstrated in literature. In accordance with this need, we conducted this study to determine the prevalence of addictive behaviors and screen for mental disorders among adolescents.

Methods

We conducted a cross sectional study in Enfidha (a town in the Sousse governorate; Tunisia). The setting of the study was in high and middle schools. Data collection was done during January and February 2020. A structured self-administered questionnaire was used in this aim. It included socio-demographic characteristics, screening for mental health problems and addictive behaviors (self-esteem, depression, anxiety, facebook addiction and video game addiction). The scales are self-report validated instruments.

Results

We included 1195 participants with a median age of 14 years (IQR 13-16). Females represented 54.2 % of the sample. Concerning depression and anxiety, it was reported among 71.3%, 62.4% of participants, respectively. We noted that self-esteem was low among 49.5% of respondents. The pooled prevalence of internet gaming disorder and Facebook addiction was 37.4% and 32.3%, respectively. Our finding yield that girls were more prone to be Facebook addict. Meanwhile, internet gaming disorder was more common among boys. Regarding tobacco and alcohol use, it was reported among 16.7% and 3.2% of students, respectively. Our results pointed out that illicit substances' experimentation was disclosed among 2.1% of our sample.

Conclusions

Our study is one of rare and recent research in our country interesting the striking issue of addiction and mental health disorders among adolescents.

Key messages

Tobacco and alcohol use was reported among 16.7% and 3.2% of students. Illicit substances’ experimentation was disclosed among 2.1% of our sample.