Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Medical‑Surgical Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India,
2 Department of Fundamentals of Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
3 Department of Community Health Nursing, Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The usage of smartphones has become common among adolescents, despite
knowing the health‑related problems of the user. Currently, the availability of electronic gadgets has
become 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 of
smartphone usage, smartphone addiction, and subjective health problems associated with smartphone
usage. The data were obtained from 270 nursing students using the convenient sampling technique
using a sociodemographic proforma, semi‑structured questionnaire on the pattern of smartphone
usage, Smartphone Addiction Scale, self‑reported subjective health problems questionnaire, and
study habits scale.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive and inferential statistics was used for the analysis using
SPSS 16.0.
RESULTS: The study findings revealed that most of the participants 243 (90.0%) were using 4G
phones. The majority 88 (32.60%) of the participants were using a smartphone for less than 2 hours
at a stretch in a day. Most uses of a smartphone were in the night 155 (57.40%). The main usage of
a 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 of
headache, followed by straining of the eyes 83 (30.6%).
CONCLUSION: The awareness of smartphone addiction and health‑related problems associated with
smartphone usage has been shown to decrease its impact. The study concluded that it is very much
necessary to identify the pattern of smartphone usage, to prevent the consequences of addiction
and health problems associated with smartphone usage.
Keywords
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