Prevalence of Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms and Their Association with Internet Addiction and Procrastination: A Cross-Sectional Study among Medical Sciences Students

<title>Abstract</title> <p>Background Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms are one of the most important mental health problems among medical students and can affect their academic performance, cognitive functions, and quality of life. Despite the evidence of the association between these symptoms and Internet addiction and procrastination, the simultaneous study of these three variables in medical students has been limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms and their relationship with Internet addiction and procrastination in students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 among 830 students at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, selected through proportional stratified random sampling. Data were collected using a demographic information questionnaire, the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, Young's Internet Addiction Test, and the Tuckman Procrastination Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics, including the chi-square test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and logistic regression, in Stata V.18. Results The prevalence of obsessive-compulsive symptoms, Internet addiction, and procrastination in Isfahan medical students was 23.1%, 26.5%, and 70.6%, respectively. The prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms was significantly higher in students with internet addiction and in procrastinating students than in others (P &lt; 0.001). Also, the highest prevalence of these symptoms was observed in students who had internet addiction and procrastination at the same time (38% vs. 18%, P &lt; 0.001). There was a positive and significant correlation between the scores of obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms and internet addiction (r = 0.359, P &lt; 0.001) and academic procrastination (r = 0.363, P &lt; 0.001). In the modified logistic regression model, internet addiction (AOR = 2.19, 95%CI: 1.49–3.22), procrastination (AOR = 2.46, 95%CI: 1.50–4.03), family history of obsessive-compulsive disorder (AOR = 3.12, 95%CI: 2.11–4.60), and education in pharmacy schools (AOR = 2.91, 95%CI: 1.02–8.29) and paramedical (AOR = 2.21, 95%CI: 1.00-4.88) were identified as independent predictors of obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms. Conclusion Obsessive-compulsive symptoms are highly prevalent among Isfahan Medical Sciences students and are independently linked to internet addiction, procrastination, family history, and specific disciplines (pharmacy and paramedical). The coexistence of internet addiction and procrastination further increases symptom prevalence. These findings highlight the need for active screening and targeted interventions to enhance self-regulation and prevent mental health issues in medical education.</p>