Design of SCoPE health education module on internet addiction prevention among undergraduate students: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial

Introduction: Internet addiction is prevalent among undergraduate students. A meta-analysis including 80 primary studies reports from 31 nations found a prevalence rate of 6% globally. However, a specific study of 480 undergraduates found a much higher prevalence of 78.7%, highlighting the urgent ne...

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Main Authors: Mashudi, Dina Nurfarahin, Ahmad, Norliza, Mohd Zulkefli, Nor Afiah, Tan, Kit-Aun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universiti Putra Malaysia Press 2024
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118893/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118893/1/118893.pdf
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author Mashudi, Dina Nurfarahin
Ahmad, Norliza
Mohd Zulkefli, Nor Afiah
Tan, Kit-Aun
author_facet Mashudi, Dina Nurfarahin
Ahmad, Norliza
Mohd Zulkefli, Nor Afiah
Tan, Kit-Aun
author_sort Mashudi, Dina Nurfarahin
building UPM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Introduction: Internet addiction is prevalent among undergraduate students. A meta-analysis including 80 primary studies reports from 31 nations found a prevalence rate of 6% globally. However, a specific study of 480 undergraduates found a much higher prevalence of 78.7%, highlighting the urgent need for prevention studies in this area. Therefore, this study protocol outlines the methodology and design of the trial, which aims to develop, implement, and evaluate the effects of the SCoPE module based on the Health Belief Model in Internet addiction prevention among undergraduate students. Methods: The study is a single-blind cluster randomised controlled trial at a public university, focusing on undergraduate students. Faculties are the unit of randomisation. Twelve faculties will be randomised into intervention group and wait-list control group. The primary outcome of this study is Internet addiction test scores, while the secondary outcomes are knowledge of Internet addiction and six Health Belief Model’s constructs. The SCoPE health education module includes six animated videos and synchronous WhatsApp group discussions. Participants will adhere to a structured six-day schedule, devoting 10 minutes to each video session and 20 minutes to discussion sessions daily. Measurements occur at baseline (T0), immediately post-intervention (T1), and 3-month post-intervention (T2). Discussion: The present study would demonstrate the successful application of the Health Belief Model in designing the SCoPE health education module which is aimed to prevent Internet addiction among undergraduate students at public universities, serving as a blueprint for future modules to mitigate Internet addiction among undergraduate students in Malaysia. Trial Registration: Clinical Trial Registry-Thailand (CTRT) TCTR20230408003.
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spelling upm-1188932025-07-29T03:29:25Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118893/ Design of SCoPE health education module on internet addiction prevention among undergraduate students: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial Mashudi, Dina Nurfarahin Ahmad, Norliza Mohd Zulkefli, Nor Afiah Tan, Kit-Aun Introduction: Internet addiction is prevalent among undergraduate students. A meta-analysis including 80 primary studies reports from 31 nations found a prevalence rate of 6% globally. However, a specific study of 480 undergraduates found a much higher prevalence of 78.7%, highlighting the urgent need for prevention studies in this area. Therefore, this study protocol outlines the methodology and design of the trial, which aims to develop, implement, and evaluate the effects of the SCoPE module based on the Health Belief Model in Internet addiction prevention among undergraduate students. Methods: The study is a single-blind cluster randomised controlled trial at a public university, focusing on undergraduate students. Faculties are the unit of randomisation. Twelve faculties will be randomised into intervention group and wait-list control group. The primary outcome of this study is Internet addiction test scores, while the secondary outcomes are knowledge of Internet addiction and six Health Belief Model’s constructs. The SCoPE health education module includes six animated videos and synchronous WhatsApp group discussions. Participants will adhere to a structured six-day schedule, devoting 10 minutes to each video session and 20 minutes to discussion sessions daily. Measurements occur at baseline (T0), immediately post-intervention (T1), and 3-month post-intervention (T2). Discussion: The present study would demonstrate the successful application of the Health Belief Model in designing the SCoPE health education module which is aimed to prevent Internet addiction among undergraduate students at public universities, serving as a blueprint for future modules to mitigate Internet addiction among undergraduate students in Malaysia. Trial Registration: Clinical Trial Registry-Thailand (CTRT) TCTR20230408003. Universiti Putra Malaysia Press 2024 Article PeerReviewed text en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118893/1/118893.pdf Mashudi, Dina Nurfarahin and Ahmad, Norliza and Mohd Zulkefli, Nor Afiah and Tan, Kit-Aun (2024) Design of SCoPE health education module on internet addiction prevention among undergraduate students: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 21 (2). pp. 267-273. ISSN 1675-8544; eISSN: 2636-9346 https://medic.upm.edu.my/upload/dokumen/2025040709242833_MJMHS_0540.pdf
spellingShingle Mashudi, Dina Nurfarahin
Ahmad, Norliza
Mohd Zulkefli, Nor Afiah
Tan, Kit-Aun
Design of SCoPE health education module on internet addiction prevention among undergraduate students: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial
title Design of SCoPE health education module on internet addiction prevention among undergraduate students: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial
title_full Design of SCoPE health education module on internet addiction prevention among undergraduate students: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial
title_fullStr Design of SCoPE health education module on internet addiction prevention among undergraduate students: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial
title_full_unstemmed Design of SCoPE health education module on internet addiction prevention among undergraduate students: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial
title_short Design of SCoPE health education module on internet addiction prevention among undergraduate students: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial
title_sort design of scope health education module on internet addiction prevention among undergraduate students: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118893/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118893/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/118893/1/118893.pdf