A cross-sectional study to assess the problematic use of mobile phones among a selected population in an urban area

Abstract

Background: Life without a mobile phone would seem next to impossible today, where it is used not only for the sole purpose of communication but also as a storehouse of important personal information, internet facilities, navigation, social networking, bank transactions, and many more such needs. The use of mobile phones has also found to be a leading cause of road traffic accidents. This study assesses the mean score of mobile phone use among the selected population using Problematic Use of Mobile Phone (PUMP) questionnaire. Objective: The main objective of the study was to assess the PUMP usage among the selected population in an urban area. Materials and Methods: Quantitative nonexperimental descriptive design was followed.A total of hundred participants were included in the study and assessed using PUMP questionnaire, on the criterias of substance use disorder namely- Tolerance, Withdrawal, Craving, Social or interpersonal and Physical and psychological problems. Results: The mean scoring on PUMPs was 53%. Scores of most of the symptoms of substance abuse were more than 50% except those of withdrawal, use in physically hazardous situations, and use despite social or interpersonal problems. Conclusion: The selected population shows significantly high scores on PUMPs. Furthermore, most of the symptoms of substance abuse in the PUMP questionnaire have a scoring of over 50%.