Internet Use Impact on Physical Health during COVID-19 Lockdown in Bangladesh: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Tanvir Abir,Anas A. Salamah,Abdullah Al Mamun,Mansura Khanam,Kingsley Emwinyore Agho,Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu,Noor Raihani Zainol,Dewan Muhammad Nur-A Yazdani,Kaniz Kakon

doi:10.3390/ijerph182010728

Abstract

Previous studies on internet use frequency were focused on mental health impact, with little known about the impact on physical health during the COVID-19 lockdown. This study examined the impact of internet use frequency on self-reported physical health during the COVID-19 lockdown in Bangladesh. A web-based cross-sectional study on 3242 individuals was conducted from 2 August–1 October 2020. The survey covered demographics, internet use frequency and self-reported physical health questions. Linear regression analyses were used to examine the impact of internet use frequency on physical health. 72.5%, 69.9%, 65.1% and 55.3% respondents reported headache, back pain, numbness of the fingers and neck pain, respectively. The analyses showed increased physical health impact among regular (coefficient β = 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18–0.85, p = 0.003), frequent (β = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.88–1.54, p < 0.001) and intense (β = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.91–2.57, p < 0.001) internet users. Other important predictors were gender, income, occupation, regions, and working status. Frequent and extensive uses of the internet were strong predictors of physical health problems, and our findings suggest the need for increased awareness about the physical health problems that can be triggered by excessive internet usage.

Highlights

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown and the associated public health interventions, including social distancing, home quarantine measures, and ‘stayat-home’ orders put in place by the various governments led to a surge in internet usage during the lockdown [1]
Considering the surge in the use of the internet during the COVID-19 lockdown [1], this cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between the frequency of internet use and the self-reported physical health of Bangladeshi respondents
After adjusting for the frequency of internet use, we found that middle to high-income earners and those working in non-healthcare sectors experienced more physical health problems due to internet use

Summary

Introduction

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown and the associated public health interventions, including social distancing, home quarantine measures, and ‘stayat-home’ orders put in place by the various governments led to a surge in internet usage during the lockdown [1]. The lockdown measures resulted in a widespread unprecedented social disruption [2] as non-essential businesses were closed, some employees worked from home and unemployment increased [3]. There were massive changes in the pattern of use.

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion