Determine Augmented Risk Association Between Health Problems and Screen Exposure to Electronic Gadgets in University Students, Islamabad During COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Now a day, frequency of health problems like myopia, headache, insomnia, dry-itchy eyes and wrist/neck or back pain due to bad posture in young people is increasing day by day. Therefore, this study determine the level of augmented risk association between screen-time exposure on electronic gadgets and development of ophthalmic, postural, psychological and neurological health harms in air university (AU) students of Islamabad, Pakistan in context of South Asian culture. A cross-sectional quantitative study design was selected for a period of 11 months to collects data using an online questionnaire. After that data was analyzed on SPSS 23 to check percentages, frequencies, means, standard deviation and chi-square test. High risk of development of back-pain, redness or burning sensation in eyes, difficulty in decision making and depression was found significant association with usage of electronic gadgets of more than 6 hours per day in students (p<0.05). In what manner does the electronic-device was close or far from students’ eye also showed strong relationship with forgetfulness and dementia (p<0.05). Therefore, students who are continuously exposed to gadgets ‘screens presented with various ill health problems which in later life turns into more bigger physical and psychological issues that increases the disease burden of Pakistan.