Prevalence and Risk Factors of Nomophobia among Undergraduate Students of Health Sciences Colleges at King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
Journal Title: International Journal of Medical Research Professionals - Year 2018, Vol 4, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: Smartphones constitute an important part of life, especially among the younger population. "Nomophobia", or no mobile phobia is on the rise worldwide. Objective: To assess prevalence and associated risk factors of severe nomophobia among students of Health Sciences colleges at King Khalid University (KKU). Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at KKU, Abha City, Saudi Arabia. Following a simple random sample, 622 undergraduate Health Sciences Colleges students were selected. The validated 20-item Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) was used for data collection. The total score for each participant was graded as “absent nomophobia” (scores of 21-59), “mildnomophobia” (scores of 60-99), or “severe nomophobia” (scores ≥ 100). Results: Participants’ age (Mean+SD) was 21.8+2.0 years. Males constituted 48.1%. Almost one fourth of students (22.2%) had severe nomophobia. All students had smartphones. Grades of nomophobia differed significantly according to students’ age groups (p=0.032), with higher percentages of severe nomophobia among older students, and according to students’ college (p=0.003), with highest percentage of severe nomophobia among students of Applied Sciences college and lowest among medical students (34.4% and 16.3 %, respectively). Internet users and those who use their smartphones for 4 hours or more daily had significantly higher prevalence of severe nomophobia. Conclusions: Severe nomophobia is common among students of Health Sciences colleges at KKU. Risk factors include older age, students at Applied College Sciences, Internet access and prolonged daily use of mobile phones. Health education should be targeted to university students to prevent possible harmful effects of mobile phones.
Authors and Affiliations
Mohammed S. Alahmari, Adil A. Alfaifi, Abdulrahman H. Alyami, Saad M. Alshehri, Shahad S. Alkhashrami, Ahlam S. Alqahtani, Amal A. Alghamdi, Asma S. Alqahtani, Ossama A. Mostafa
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP530275
- DOI 10.21276/ijmrp.2018.4.1.088
- Views 79
- Downloads 0
Sex Determination of Human Mandible in Population of Bihar by Using Metrical Parameters
Background: The sex determination from bones are important part of study in forensic medicine as many interpretations and analysis depends upon it. In case of mass disasters like earthquake, explosions, warfare, floods,...
Assessment of Osteoporosis Knowledge among Female Medical Interns And Students at Tabuk University
Introduction: Osteoporosis is a common disease that is characterized by low bone mass and skeletal fragility, leading to higher risk of fracture. The disease is medically diagnosed as having reduced bone mineral density...
Prevalence and Pattern of Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Patients with Headache Disorders in Madinah, Saudi Arabia
Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasingly being used with the conventional treatment in headache disorders in other countries. No researches have been reported the prevalence of the use of...
Gingival Health and Plaque Removal Assessment by Neem Stick and Toothbrush: A Comparative Study
Introduction: Oral hygiene measures have been practiced by different populations and cultures in a different way around the world. In various parts of the world where tooth brushing by modern method is uncommon or not po...
Usefulness of Ultrasonography with Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology in Early Detection of Breast Cancer: A Hospital Based Study
ABSTRACT Introduction: Breast malignancy is the mainly extensively recognized tumor in females around the world. It is likewise the guideline reason for death from malignancy among ladies internationally. The (USG-FNAC)...