Research Article
Pattern of Smartphone Use and Its Related Effects on Students of two Medical Colleges at Dhaka, Bangladesh
Mubaraka R1*, Ahmed ASMS2, Saleh AZM3, Mukta KF4, Immamuzzaman M5, Sayeed S6
1Dr. Rufaida Mubaraka, MPH. Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Ashian Medical College, Dhaka.
2Dr. A.S.M. Shahariar Ahmed, CCD, FIPM. Registrar, RMC Hospital Ltd, Uttara, Dhaka.
3Dr. Abu Zafar Md Saleh, FCPS (Medicine), Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Enam Medical College and Hospital, Savar, Dhaka.
4Dr. Kanij Fatema Mukta, MD (Dermatovenerology), Enam Medical College, Savar, Dhaka.
5Dr. Muhammad Immamuzzaman, MS (Orthopaedics), MPH, CCD, Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Enam Medical College and Hospital, Savar, Dhaka.
6Dr. Sadia Sayeed, MS Resident, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Bangladesh Medical University, Shahbag, Dhaka.
*Corresponding author: rufaidazhs@yahoo.com
Abstract
Background: Due to numerous reasons, smartphone use has become more and more popular day by day. So the pattern of smartphone use needs to be monitored regularly, especially among medical students.
Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 384 medical students in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Participants were selected from Enam Medical College and Ashiyan Medical College through purposive sampling. Data were collected by the principal investigator through a pretested, interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire. Data confidentiality and quality were properly maintained. Respondents had no physical, mental, or social risks because of their current study participation. Data were analyzed anonymously by using SPSS software.
Results: Respondents of the current study were between 20 to 24 years with a mean age of 21.4±0.9 years, while the majority 249(64.8%) of them were female, and a significant number 360(93.8%) of the respondents were single. The majority 339(88.3%) of them were Muslim, and nearly two-thirds 237(61.8%) respondents were from rural areas. Medical students use smartphones for different purposes, where 347(90.4%) use social networking sites, 293(76.3%) for educational and academic purposes, 118(30.7%) to play games, etc. However, 276(71.9%) informed that they were somehow wasting their time due to the use of smartphones, and nearly half 181(47.2%) use smartphones for more than 4 hours a day, while the majority 273(71.1%), mainly use smartphones at night. A significant number of Medical students 231(60.2%) had 2 to 5 calls per day. A considerable number 172(44.8%) use smartphones for between 5 minutes to 30 minutes in the morning. Most 262(68.2%) of them usually keep the smartphone on the bed. A considerable number 134(34.9%) were suffering from low back pain, while 272(70.8%) complained about eye strain.
Conclusion: Medical students are usually young, female, from rural areas. They mainly use smartphones for access to social networking sites, educational and academic purposes, and to play games, while the duration is considerably longer than the duration of morning use. Students usually keep their phones on the bed. Many of them were suffering from problems like low back pain and eye strain.
Keywords
Medical students
Smartphone
academic performance
Students
and education.
1. INTRODUCTION
The use of smartphones has increased dramatically over the past decade due to their advanced technological features and wide range of applications. Numerous studies have confirmed that smartphone usage continues to rise globally. In 2017, there were approximately 2 billion smartphone users worldwide, and this number is expected to increase further in the coming years.¹
Smartphones have become increasingly popular among individuals from various professions because they provide easy access to information, communication, and professional development resources. Through smartphones, users can access vast amounts of knowledge, helping them improve their academic and professional skills.² Unlike traditional mobile phones that were primarily used for voice calls and text messaging, modern smartphones offer internet connectivity, multimedia functions, educational applications, and numerous other features. Technological advancements have enabled users to access the internet wirelessly, eliminating the need for fixed cable connections.
Since 2010, more than 300 million smartphone units have been purchased annually worldwide. A study conducted in 2012 reported that approximately 84% of students had access to smartphones, reflecting a steadily increasing trend.³ Among medical students, the intense academic workload, pressure to acquire clinical skills, and educational stress may contribute to excessive smartphone use.?
Excessive smartphone usage may eventually lead to smartphone addiction, a behavioral condition that shares several characteristics with internet addiction, including compulsive behavior, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and functional impairment.? Medical students frequently use smartphones both inside and outside the classroom for educational purposes; however, addictive smartphone use may interfere with daily activities, negatively affect academic performance, and impair social interactions.
Several studies have reported an association between smartphone addiction and various physical and psychological health problems.? For many individuals, smartphones are not only communication devices but also symbols of personal identity and social status.? Modern smartphones operate through sophisticated operating systems that support a wide range of applications and services.?
A study conducted among medical students in Nepal reported that approximately 36.8% of participants exhibited smartphone addiction.? Similarly, research conducted among university students in Riyadh found that approximately 27.2% used smartphones for more than eight hours per day.? Although smartphones facilitate communication, increase accessibility to information, and may enhance productivity, excessive use can adversely affect both educational and personal life.
Problematic smartphone use has been recognized as an emerging behavioral concern and has been discussed within the framework of ICD-11 and DSM-5 as a behavioral addiction-related phenomenon.¹? Excessive smartphone use may lead to internal conflicts, compulsive behavior, feelings of dependency, sleep disturbances, anxiety when separated from the device, and increased psychological stress. Medical students are particularly vulnerable because of their demanding academic environment.¹¹
One of the most concerning consequences of excessive smartphone use is insomnia, which has been associated with reduced mental well-being, decreased emotional stability, and poorer quality of life.¹² Furthermore, excessive smartphone use may contribute to academic burnout, fatigue, low self-esteem, depression, substance abuse, and deterioration in academic performance.¹³
Considering the growing prevalence of smartphone use and its potential impact on students' physical, psychological, and academic well-being, it is important to assess the extent of smartphone addiction among medical students and identify its associated consequences.
DOI:
324654-5646
ISSN: 1607-5854
