Study type: Epidemiological study (observational study)

Adverse effects of excessive mobile phone use epidem.

Published in: Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2008; 21 (4): 289-293

Aim of study (acc. to author)

A survey was conducted among medical students of the King Saud University, Saudi-Arabia, to investigate whether symptoms of ill health were associated with the use of mobile phones.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

Type of risk estimation:

Exposure

Assessment

Exposure groups

Group Description
Group 1 daily mobile phone use: ≤ 30 min
Group 2 daily mobile phone use: 30 - 60 min
Group 3 daily mobile phone use: 60 - 90 min
Group 4 daily mobile phone use: ≥ 90 min

Population

Study size

Type Value
Total 330
Participants 286
Participation rate 87 %
Statistical analysis method:

Results (acc. to author)

56 % of the medical students reported a daily mobile phone use of of less than 30 min, 28 % of 30 to 60 min, 11.5 % of 60 to 90 min, and 4.5 % of more than 90 min. 30.8 % of the students reported their health status as very good, 62.2 % as good and 7 % as fair. The mostly reported symptoms among mobile phone users were memory disturbances (40.6 %), sleeplessness (38.8 %), and hearing problems (23.1%). 44.4 % of the students related their symptoms to mobile phone use. The author concluded that the results showed that mobile phones play a great part in the daily life of medical students, and therefore the impact on psychology and health should be discussed to prevent harmful effects of mobile phone use.

Study funded by

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