Mobile Phone Utility and Its Effects on Health among Medical Students in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Background: Mobile phone has become important in everyday life and internet utility have increasedespecially among the student community. Overuse of mobile phone has been associated with many healthissues. Objective was to know the mobile phone usage pattern and its health effects among medical students.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among medical students of GSL Medical College,Rajahmundry including 287 students from first to third MBBS. Data was collected using a pre-testedquestionnaire consisting of socio-demographic parameters, pattern of mobile phone usage like mode of use,time of maximum use etc. and the health effect variables like headache, fatigue, neck pain, painful fingersetc. Statistical analysis was done using MS-Excel 2007 and SPSS v 22, chi-square test was applied andp<0.05 was considered significant.Results: 95% were using smart phone and 83% were having single phone. Maximum were using for 4-6years (55%). Internet was used for academic purpose in 90%. Majority of them experienced eyes symptoms(55.23%) followed by sleep deprivation (46.21%) and headache (42.60%).Conclusions: Mobile phone are having positive role in our daily lives but its overuse has bad impact onhealth of students.