Journal of Medicine and Health Research

Engineering students, due to their rigorous academic schedules and exposure to technology, may be particularly susceptible to excessive gaming. With the increasing prevalence of video gaming among university students, concerns have emerged about its potential impact on academic performance, physical health, and mental well-being. This study examined the knowledge of the health consequences of excessive gaming among engineering students at Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design involving 310 engineering students selected through a stratified convenience sampling method. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Quantitative responses from the questionnaires were first coded and entered into IBM SPSS Statistics software (Version 27) for systematic processing. Findings revealed that while a majority of respondents (81.0%) were aware that excessive gaming could lead to sleep disorders, fewer students demonstrated comprehensive knowledge of other health-related consequences. Many participants (44.2%) reported gaming for 1–3 hours daily, with 13.5% exceeding 5 hours per day. Nighttime gaming (57.1%) and gaming during busy academic periods (65.5%) were common. Although 64.2% of students used self-regulation methods such as time limits, 44.8% reported no preventive strategies. Peer influence (35.5%) and internet access (46.8%) significantly shaped gaming behaviours. Departmental differences were statistically significant (p = 0.014), with students in Computer and Mechanical Engineering more prone to longer gaming sessions. Despite high awareness of health risks, there was a noticeable gap between knowledge and actual behaviour, with many students continuing excessive gaming despite understanding its consequences. The study concludes that interventions must move beyond awareness to include behavioural and institutional strategies. Ultimately, the study underscores the growing normalisation of gaming among students and the urgent need for proactive strategies to ensure that gaming remains a balanced and health-conscious recreational activity rather than a source of health and academic challenges. Recommendations include peer-led digital health education, integration of counselling services, and promotion of alternative recreational activities to support balanced gaming practices among students.