. Joyce Machado; . Radhika R. Pai; . Reshma R. Kotian
Volume 13, Issue 2 , February 2023, , Pages 1-8
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The usage of smartphones has become common among adolescents, despiteknowing the health‑related problems of the user. Currently, the availability of electronic gadgets ...
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BACKGROUND: The usage of smartphones has become common among adolescents, despiteknowing the health‑related problems of the user. Currently, the availability of electronic gadgets hasbecome economical and this has an impact on society, especially on the behavior of adolescents.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross‑sectional survey design was used to find the pattern ofsmartphone usage, smartphone addiction, and subjective health problems associated with smartphoneusage. The data were obtained from 270 nursing students using the convenient sampling techniqueusing a sociodemographic proforma, semi‑structured questionnaire on the pattern of smartphoneusage, Smartphone Addiction Scale, self‑reported subjective health problems questionnaire, andstudy habits scale.STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive and inferential statistics was used for the analysis usingSPSS 16.0.RESULTS: The study findings revealed that most of the participants 243 (90.0%) were using 4Gphones. The majority 88 (32.60%) of the participants were using a smartphone for less than 2 hoursat a stretch in a day. Most uses of a smartphone were in the night 155 (57.40%). The main usage ofa smartphone was for entertainment purposes 213 (78.90%). Most of the participants 196 (72.6%)were moderately addicted to smartphones. One‑third 109 (40.2%) of the participants complained ofheadache, followed by straining of the eyes 83 (30.6%).CONCLUSION: The awareness of smartphone addiction and health‑related problems associated withsmartphone usage has been shown to decrease its impact. The study concluded that it is very muchnecessary to identify the pattern of smartphone usage, to prevent the consequences of addictionand health problems associated with smartphone usage.
