A Study to Correlate Smart Phone Addiction and Adult Hypertension Among Students of KPGU University: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of hypertension is rising globally due to unhealthy lifestyle. Smartphones are vitalinstrument as a result of the rising use of technology in education. Anxiety, sadness, and sleep difficulties are alllinked to smartphone addiction. These mental illnesses also have an impact on blood pressure. The purpose ofthis study was to investigate the prevalence of hypertension and its association with smartphone addiction amongadults.Methods: An university-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 74 young adults, aged 17-24 years(18.47±0.51for males and 19.27±0.97 for females) by random cluster sampling method after getting consent.Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure were measured according to normative data of ACSM guidelines. BMIwas calculated to identify the prevalence of obesity and its association with an increase in blood pressure. TheSmartphone Addiction Scale - a short version was used to assess level of smartphone addiction.Results: The prevalence of risk of developing hypertension in those who are having smartphone addiction was9.45% ((OR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.155-1.762). And the association between smartphone addiction and obesity was 6.75%.Conclusion: Among college-going students surveyed at KPGU University Vadodara, there is a risk of developinghypertension due to excessive smartphone addiction as it shows borderline or elevated blood pressure and obesity.This can affect their physical as well as mental health. Therefore it is essential to arrange educational seminars tomake students aware of reducing the use of social media by engaging them in various recreational activities.