Mobile phone related-symptoms among primary care attendees in Al-Khobar city, Eastern Saudi Arabia
Journal Title: International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health - Year 2014, Vol 3, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: Several studies have shown that use of mobile phones may cause adverse health problems such as headache, sleep disturbances, ear warming and other symptoms. Aims & Objective: To determine the prevalence of symptoms due to the use of mobile phone and to identify some factors associated with its use among primary health care (PHC) attendees in Al-Khobar city, eastern Saudi Arabia. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using interviewer-administered questionnaire during the month of May 2009 in Al-Khobar city. Three PHC centers were randomly selected and 431 attendees were interviewed. Results: About 68.0% were using mobile phones for more than five years. About 43% had a single call time of 5-9 minutes and 56.8% had a daily call time from 30 minutes to one hour. Symptoms due to use of mobile phone included ear warming (52.9%), headache (15.1%), and facial numbness (13.0%). Factors found to be statistically significantly associated with presence of symptoms due to mobile phone use were daily call time of 30 minutes or more, using mobile phone for 3 or more years, and ending the call because of medical reasons. Conclusion: The use of mobile phones was associated with subjective symptoms. It is suggested that excessive daily use of mobile phones should be avoided. Further research is needed to establish a cause-effect relationship.
Authors and Affiliations
Yasser Alghamdi, Attia Taha
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP95352
- DOI 10.5455/ijmsph.2013.270920131
- Views 101
- Downloads 0
Evaluation of changes in retinal fiber layer thickness in pseudoexfoliation syndrome using spectral domain optical coherence tomography
Background: Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is a disorder characterized by the progressive accumulation of fibrillary extracellular deposits in several ocular tissues including the iris, anterior chamber angle, lens cap...
Effectiveness and comparison of reteplase versus streptokinase thrombolytic agents in the patients of acute myocardial infarction
Background: Streptokinase and reteplase are commonly used for thrombolytic therapy in the patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). A comparative study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of both thrombolyt...
A comparative evaluation of per rectal diclofenac sodium and paracetamol for postoperative analgesia in case of hydrocephalus
Background: Hydrocephalus is one of the most painful conditions, especially in pediatric population. Analgesia after neurosurgery requires good communication and close cooperation between members of the perioperative...
Bilateral fibroadenoma of the ectopic breast tissue in axilla: A case report
Anomalies associated with breast development are common, presenting as supernumerary nipples (polythelia) and less often as supernumerary breast (polymastia) in 1 – 5% of population. These anomalies are more common in...
Prevalence of obesity and overweight in schoolgoing adolescents of Surat city, Gujarat, India
Background: The prevalence of obesity is increasing with the changing lifestyle of families over the past few years. Objectives: To study the prevalence and review speci fi c parameters contributing to obesity in sc...