Exploring pornography addiction among university students and recent graduates in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background The internet has totally revolutionized access to pornography, with a near-total bypassing of parental monitoring. Evidence in Ethiopia indicates a high rate of exposure to pornography among university students, while risky sexual behaviors and the rate of depression range from 28% to 36.2%. Besides these factors, cultural and societal problems further distress these university students with limited sexual education and mental health support. Objective The objective of this study is to explore the experiences and perceptions of pornography addiction among University students/recent graduates in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from December 2024 – February 2025. Methods A qualitative exploratory study design was employed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from December 2024 - February 2025. Eight in-depth interviews were conducted with young adults in university aged 19-24 years. The data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide that has been adapted to the study's aims. Analysis was assisted by OpenCode software version 4.03. Thematic analysis of interview data examined participants’ motivations, usage patterns, impacts, and coping strategies related to pornography addiction. Result The age of the participants range from 19-24. Five of the participants were university students. The debut age ranged from 11 to 16 years of age. Most of them reported that websites were their major sources. Most of the participants mentioned that they do not have open discussion with family as it is considered as a taboo in the culture. While some had never received sexual education, others have received sexual education at school and universities. Movies and games were repeatedly mentioned as gateways to the initiation of pornography. Fear of missing out and sense of being updated was a factor that aggravated the influence. Most participants described the emotional experience dividing it as before, during and after. Impacts on mental, emotional state, were profound. Coping mechanisms of the participants were mainly centered around spirituality, self-distraction with other activities and self-talks. Having started watching at an early age was considered as a factor that made it difficult.