Psychometric behavioural correlates of problematic smart phone usage among medical students in Bengaluru

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Psychometric behavioural correlates of problematic smart phone usage among medical students in Bengaluru

Journal Title: Medpulse International Journal of Physiology - Year 2018, Vol 7, Issue 1

Abstract

Background: Smartphones have penetrated the information fabric of India quite rapidly in the 21st century. Medical students have been so increasingly attracted to smartphones that reports of smartphone addiction have started surfacing as a problem akin to substance abuse. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of problematic smart phone usage among medical students and to study the psychometric behavioural correlates of problematic smart phone usage using PUMP scale. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional, exploratory study design was used to conduct the study among first year medical students of a private medical college in rural Bengaluru. Data was collected using pretested questionnaire and analysed using SPSS software (version 24).Results: In this study, the total prevalence of problematic smart phone usage was 42.6% (64). Among males, prevalence was higher 46.42% compared to females 40.42%. PUMP scale had a Mean±SD of 57.56 ± 11.6 and the scores ranged from 36 to 87. Majority of the study subjects 60.3% agreed that they spent longer time than intended with the smartphones. Many students 40.3% felt that they spent too much time with smartphone. A significant association between self- addiction and PUMP score (p<0.0001) was observed. A significant association was also seen between relationship status and mean PUMP score (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The present study showed a staggering prevalence rate for problematic usage of smartphones among first year medical students. Although a higher prevalence of problematic smartphone usage was found among males compared to females, the gap was not significantly wide. Majority of the students reported not getting addicted to smartphones while close to half the study population was in problematic smartphone usage category. If unrecognized, problematic smartphone usage could have far reaching implications on medical students and society at large.

Authors and Affiliations

Nalini V Mallya, Sunil Kumar D R

Keywords

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EP ID EP471356
DOI 10.26611/103714
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