ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Compulsive gaming in secondary school students from five Peruvian cities: Usage and addiction to the Pokémon GO game
 
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1
Universidad Continental, Lima, Peru
 
2
Centro de Investigación y Estudios Médicos CIEM, Universidad Católica de Santa María, Arequipa, Peru
 
3
Sociedad Científica de Estudiantes de Medicina de Cajamarca, Universidad Nacional de Cajamarca, Cajamarca, Peru
 
4
Centro de Investigación de Estudiantes de Medicina (CIESMED), Tacna, Peru
 
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Sociedad Científica de Estudiantes de Medicina de la Universidad Nacional de Piura, (SOCIEMUNP), Universidad Nacional de Piura, Piura, Peru
 
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Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Ricardo Palma, Lima, Peru
 
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Asociación Médica de Investigación y Servicios en Salud, Lima, Peru
 
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Universidad Nacional Jorge Basadre Grohmann, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Tacna, Peru
 
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Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
 
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Facultad de Medicina y Cirugía, Universidad Católica de Honduras, San Pedro Sula, Honduras
 
 
Online publication date: 2019-11-28
 
 
Publication date: 2019-11-28
 
 
Electron J Gen Med 2019;16(5):em164
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Some years ago, the Pokémon GO game became incredibly popular. However, no studies on the subject have been conducted in Peru involving vulnerable populations, such as adolescents.

Objective:
To determine if the number of hours playing the Pokémon GO game is associated with Internet and/or video game addiction, as well as to other factors in secondary school students from five Peruvian cities.

Material and methods:
Cross-sectional, analytical, and multi-centric study, with a sample of 944 school students. General characteristics, including socio-educational aspects, and Internet and/or video game addiction were analyzed, as well as variables related to the use of the game, such as problems at home, with teachers, accidents, and theft.

Results:
We found statistical associations between the assessed variables and increased playing time. 409 (44%) students had an Internet addiction, 215 (23%) were addicted to video games, and 336 (49%) spent a significant number of hours per day playing Pokémon GO. A greater number of hours playing Pokémon GO was associated with having a video game addiction (prevalence ratio (PR): 1,33; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07-1.65), greater use of cell phone applications (PR: 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.03), reprimand by parents (PR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.02-1.18), and reprimand for arriving late to class (PR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.07-1.18). On the other hand, students who played a greater number of video games used Pokémon GO by a lower number of hours (PR: 0,98; 95% CI: 0.97-0.99), adjusted by the respondent´s location.

Conclusion:
Higher usage levels of Pokémon GO were associated with having a video game addiction, greater use of phone applications, negative repercussions from parents, and reprimand for arriving late to class.

 
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