Internet Addiction Prevention Among Higher Secondary School StudentsNCT07504978
Effect of TPB-Based Educational Intervention on Preventing Internet Addiction in Students
A study testing Educational Intervention Package based on the Theory of Planned Behavior in people with Internet Addiction Prevention Among Higher Secondary School Students, run by Manish Rajbanshi at 1 site in Nepal.
Trial summary
This quasi-experimental study evaluated a Theory of Planned Behavior-based educational intervention among higher secondary students in Kathmandu, Nepal. The two-day intervention significantly reduced daily internet use and improved attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intentions… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 15 to 19 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Internet Addiction Prevention Among Higher Secondary School Students
- What is being tested?
- Educational Intervention Package based on the Theory of Planned Behavior
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 122 participants
- Where
- 1 siteNepal
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2024to 10 Aug 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 15 to 19 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- Students belonged to selected wards of Kathmandu Metropolitan City
Who cannot join
- Students having mental disorders, unable to communicate
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: The Effect of an Educational Intervention Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior on Behavioral Intention to Prevent Internet Addiction Among Higher Secondary School Students in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal
This quasi-experimental study evaluated a Theory of Planned Behavior-based educational intervention among higher secondary students in Kathmandu, Nepal. The two-day intervention significantly reduced daily internet use and improved attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intentions related to preventing internet addiction. No significant changes were observed in the control group, demonstrating that theory-driven, school-based educational programs can effectively promote healthier internet use behaviors among adolescents.
Read the detailed description
Internet addiction among adolescents is an emerging public health concern, associated with academic, emotional, and social difficulties, particularly in urban settings with high digital access. As internet use behavior is influenced by attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, this study applied the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework. The primary aim was to measure the effectiveness of educational intervention on behavioral intention based on the TPB framework towards the prevention of internet addiction among higher secondary level school students of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal.
A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 132 higher secondary students in Kathmandu. Participants were equally assigned to intervention and control groups using multistage random sampling. Baseline internet-use behavior and TPB constructs were assessed using validated se4lf- The intervention group received a two-day TPB-based educational program to improve attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intentions toward preventing internet addiction, while the control group received no intervention. Post-intervention evaluation was conducted six weeks later, and changes in TPB construct scores were analyzed using paired t-tests.
At baseline, most TPB construct scores were similar between the intervention and control groups, although the intervention group reported higher daily internet use (5.71 ± 2.71 vs. 4.47 ± 1.05 hours) and subjective norms (14.15 ± 3.97 vs. 12.15 ± 4.39). Following the TPB-based educational intervention, the intervention group showed a significant reduction in daily internet use (3.14 ± 1.56) and improvements in attitudes 17.18 ± 2.14), subjective norms (16.20 ± 2.44), perceived behavioral control (18.33 ± 2.56), and behavioral intentions toward preventing internet addiction (20.64 ± 2.40). The control group showed no significant changes, indicating the effectiveness of the intervention in promoting healthier internet behaviors. The TPB-based educational intervention significantly reduced daily internet use and improved attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intentions toward preventing internet addiction among higher secondary students. These findings highlight the effectiveness of theory-driven, school-based programs in promoting healthier internet behaviors in adolescents.
- Being tested
- Educational Intervention Package based on the Theory of Planned Behavior
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Educational Intervention Package based on the Theory of Planned BehaviorOther
The intervention package consisted of three structured modules delivered to students, teachers, and parents using interactive and multimedia-based approaches: Module 1: Introduction to internet addiction and adolescent vulnerability (lectures, case stories, posters). Module 2: Types and signs/symptoms of internet addiction (PowerPoint presentations, Q\&A sessions, posters). Module 3: Preventive strategies and available help-seeking sources (interactive sessions, Q\&A, posters). No drugs or devices were used in this intervention.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Interventional Group- Educational Intervention | Experimental | Altogether 66 students were recruited in this group. This group received the educational intervention package over two days. The intervention consisted of three structured modules delivered to students, teachers, and parents using interactive and multimedia-based approaches:
Module 1: Introduction to internet addiction and why adolescents are vulnerable (lectures, case stories, posters) Module 2: Types and signs/symptoms of internet addiction (PowerPoint presentations, Q\&A sessions, posters) Module 3: Preventive strategies and available help-seeking sources (interactive sessions, Q\&A, posters) Receives: Other: Educational Intervention Package based on the Theory of Planned Behavior |
| Control Group - Standard School Curriculum | No intervention | Participants continued their usual school activities without receiving any additional educational intervention. No educational materials, drugs, or devices were involved. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Behavioral Intention Score
A structured questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention package in preventing internet addiction. The questionnaire comprises Likert-scale items assessing behavioral intention, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Each item will be scored from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree), with higher scores indicating stronger behavioral intention toward preventing internet addiction (better outcome). The questionnaire will be adapted from existing validated TPB tools and further refined based on findings from the situational analysis and pre-testing. The instrument will be administered at baseline (pre-intervention) and 6 weeks post-intervention to assess changes in outcome measures.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 6 weeks post-intervention
Secondary outcomes (1)
TPB Constructs Score
A structured TPB-based questionnaire will be used to assess changes in all four TPB constructs: behavioral intention, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Each item will be scored on a Likert scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree), with higher scores indicating more positive attitudes, stronger subjective norms, greater perceived behavioral control, and stronger behavioral intention toward preventing internet addiction. The questionnaire will be administered at baseline (pre-intervention) and at 6 weeks post-intervention to assess changes in these constructs.
Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 6 weeks post-intervention
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted1 Apr 2026
- Study start1 Aug 2024
- Primary completion25 Mar 2025
- Study completion10 Aug 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Internet Addiction Prevention Among Higher Secondary School StudentsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 122 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Manish Rajbanshi
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Manish Rajbanshi, Maharajgunj Medical Campus
- Investigators
- Durga Prasad Pahari, PHD, Study chair, Central Department of Public Health
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07504978
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 220 (6-11) E2081/82
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 1 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 1 Apr 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Apr 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of an Educational Intervention Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior on Behavioral Intention to Prevent Internet Addiction Among Higher Secondary School Students in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07504978
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 220 (6-11) E2081/82
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 122 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Manish RajbanshiUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 25 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 10 Aug 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 1 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This quasi-experimental study evaluated a Theory of Planned Behavior-based educational intervention among higher secondary students in Kathmandu, Nepal. The two-day intervention significantly reduced daily internet use and improved attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intentions related to preventing internet addiction. No significant changes were observed in the control group, demonstrating that theory-driven, school-based educational programs can effectively promote healthier internet use behaviors among adolescents.
Detailed description
Internet addiction among adolescents is an emerging public health concern, associated with academic, emotional, and social difficulties, particularly in urban settings with high digital access. As internet use behavior is influenced by attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control, this study applied the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework. The primary aim was to measure the effectiveness of educational intervention on behavioral intention based on the TPB framework towards the prevention of internet addiction among higher secondary level school students of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Nepal.
A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 132 higher secondary students in Kathmandu. Participants were equally assigned to intervention and control groups using multistage random sampling. Baseline internet-use behavior and TPB constructs were assessed using validated se4lf- The intervention group received a two-day TPB-based educational program to improve attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intentions toward preventing internet addiction, while the control group received no intervention. Post-intervention evaluation was conducted six weeks later, and changes in TPB construct scores were analyzed using paired t-tests.
At baseline, most TPB construct scores were similar between the intervention and control groups, although the intervention group reported higher daily internet use (5.71 ± 2.71 vs. 4.47 ± 1.05 hours) and subjective norms (14.15 ± 3.97 vs. 12.15 ± 4.39). Following the TPB-based educational intervention, the intervention group showed a significant reduction in daily internet use (3.14 ± 1.56) and improvements in attitudes 17.18 ± 2.14), subjective norms (16.20 ± 2.44), perceived behavioral control (18.33 ± 2.56), and behavioral intentions toward preventing internet addiction (20.64 ± 2.40). The control group showed no significant changes, indicating the effectiveness of the intervention in promoting healthier internet behaviors. The TPB-based educational intervention significantly reduced daily internet use and improved attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intentions toward preventing internet addiction among higher secondary students. These findings highlight the effectiveness of theory-driven, school-based programs in promoting healthier internet behaviors in adolescents.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Interventional Group- Educational Intervention | Experimental | Other: Educational Intervention Package based on the Theory of Planned BehaviorAltogether 66 students were recruited in this group. This group received the educational intervention package over two days. The intervention consisted of three structured modules delivered to students, teachers, and parents using interactive and multimedia-based approaches: Module 1: Introduction to internet addiction and why adolescents are vulnerable (lectures, case stories, posters) Module 2: Types and signs/symptoms of internet addiction (PowerPoint presentations, Q\&A sessions, posters) Module 3: Preventive strategies and available help-seeking sources (interactive sessions, Q\&A, posters) |
| Control Group - Standard School Curriculum | No intervention | –Participants continued their usual school activities without receiving any additional educational intervention. No educational materials, drugs, or devices were involved. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 15 to 19 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Students belonged to selected wards of Kathmandu Metropolitan City
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Students having mental disorders, unable to communicate
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Intervention Package based on the Theory of Planned BehaviorThe intervention package consisted of three structured modules delivered to students, teachers, and parents using interactive and multimedia-based approaches: Module 1: Introduction to internet addiction and adolescent vulnerability (lectures, case stories, posters). Module 2: Types and signs/symptoms of internet addiction (PowerPoint presentations, Q\&A sessions, posters). Module 3: Preventive strategies and available help-seeking sources (interactive sessions, Q\&A, posters). No drugs or devices were used in this intervention. | Other | Interventional Group- Educational Intervention |
Primary outcome
Behavioral Intention Score
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 6 weeks post-intervention
A structured questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention package in preventing internet addiction. The questionnaire comprises Likert-scale items assessing behavioral intention, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Each item will be scored from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree), with higher scores indicating stronger behavioral intention toward preventing internet addiction (better outcome). The questionnaire will be adapted from existing validated TPB tools and further refined based on findings from the situational analysis and pre-testing. The instrument will be administered at baseline (pre-intervention) and 6 weeks post-intervention to assess changes in outcome measures.
1 secondary outcome
TPB Constructs Score
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 6 weeks post-intervention
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 Apr 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Durga Prasad Pahari, PHD study chair
Central Department of Public Health
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Educational Intervention Package based on the Theory of Planned Behavior in people with Internet Addiction Prevention Among Higher Secondary School Students, run by Manish Rajbanshi at 1 site in Nepal.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Apr 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Nepal. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Behavioral Intention Score (time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 6 weeks post-intervention). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Apr 2026.