Violence
Pornography consumption among medical students in Syria: Prevalence, patterns, and predictors.
Open Access: No.
Abstract
Background
Pornography consumption is a global phenomenon, yet empirical research from the Middle East, particularly Syria, is nonexistent. Medical students may be especially vulnerable due to high stress levels. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, patterns, and self-perceived effects of pornography consumption among medical students in Syria, addressing a significant geographical and cultural gap in the literature.
Materials and methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted between August 1, 2024, and November 30, 2024, by researchers from Damascus University Faculty of Medicine, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic. An anonymous online questionnaire adapted from a validated instrument was distributed to Syrian medical students through official university channels and social media platforms. The final sample included 960 participants. The survey collected data on sociodemographics, consumption patterns, self-perceived addiction, cessation attempts, and effects on mental health, academic performance, and sexual satisfaction. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, and binary logistic regression.
Results
Lifetime exposure to pornography was reported by 720 participants (74.9%), with a mean age of first exposure of 14.8 ± 3.2 years. Logistic regression revealed that high family income (AOR = 2.15, 95% CI [1.48–3.12]) and having a private room (AOR = 3.48, 95% CI [2.51–4.83]) were significant predictors of lifetime exposure (p < 0.001), while gender was not a significant factor (p = 0.442). Nearly half of the students (463 participants, 48.2%) were current users. Among users, 236 (51.0%) had attempted to quit, with 170 (72.2%) experiencing adverse effects including erotic dreams (53.5%), irritability (26.4%), and attention disturbance (26.0%). Self-perceived addiction was reported by 117 participants (12.2%) overall and 72 participants (15.5%) among current users, with early exposure (≤12 years) being the strongest predictor (males: OR = 7.25, 95% CI [4.16–12.63]; females: OR = 4.23, 95% CI [2.85–6.28]).
Conclusion
This first investigation of pornography consumption among Syrian medical students reveals high lifetime exposure beginning in early adolescence, associated primarily with socioeconomic factors rather than gender. Cessation attempts and withdrawal-like symptoms were common among current users. Self-perceived addiction was strongly predicted by early exposure, particularly among males. These findings highlight the need for culturally tailored, non-judgmental support services and longitudinal research using validated instruments.
Relevance
“The lifetime prevalence of exposure (74.9%) and the early mean age of first contact (14.8 years) closely mirror findings from European and South Asian cohorts, where digital accessibility and adolescent curiosity converge to shape early engagement with explicit content…However, the absence of gender-based differences in exposure and age of first contact challenges conventional assumptions rooted in Western literature” since “our finding of gender parity regression analysis showed no significant gender difference (p = 0.442), which may reflect shifting norms in Syrian society, increased digital parity among young adults, or growing comfort among female students in disclosing sensitive behaviors in anonymous surveys.”
“Socioeconomic factors emerged as powerful and independent predictors of both lifetime and current use. Students with private room access were 3.48 times more likely to report exposure—the strongest predictor in our model. This finding substantially exceeds the effect sizes reported in Western studies…Similarly, higher income tertiles were associated with greater exposure (AOR = 2.15 for high vs. low income) and longer session durations (ρ = 0.112, p = 0.016). This gradient effect suggests that pornography use may be facilitated by structural privileges such as leisure time, personal devices, and stable internet access—resources disproportionately available to higher-income students.”
“Religious commitment demonstrated a clear protective effect.”
“Among current users, cessation attempts were common (51.0%), and adverse effects during withdrawal were frequently reported by 72.2% of those attempting to quit. The most common effects—erotic dreams (53.5%), irritability (26.4%), and attention disturbance (26.0%)—resemble withdrawal-like phenomena documented in behavioral addiction literature.”
“Self-perceived addiction was reported by 12.2% of the total sample and 15.5% of current users.” “Early exposure (≤12 years) was the strongest predictor of self-perceived addiction.” “Functional impairments were also reported: decreased sexual satisfaction (24.5%), need for longer stimulation (12.0%), and need for more intense stimuli (17.6%)…The slightly higher rates in our sample [compared to other published samples] may reflect the unique stressors facing Syrian medical students in a conflict-affected society, where pornography may serve as both coping mechanism and source of additional psychological burden.”
Citation
Al-Bitar, A., Al-Masalma, D., Adi, M., & Haydar, T. (2026). Pornography consumption among medical students in Syria: Prevalence, patterns, and predictors. PloS One, 21(6), Article e0347631. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0347631
