Routine use of mobile electronic devises by schoolchildren and students and its correction by hygienic education

Abstract

Many research works have described negative effects produced by use of electronic devices, mobile ones (smartphone, tablets) included, on children, adolescents and youth. However, the problem has many aspects and not all of them have been explored profoundly. In this study, our aim was to conduct hygienic assessment of routine use of mobile electronic devices by schoolchildren and students and to give grounds for its correction by hygienic education. By conducting a survey, we obtained data on use of mobile electronic devices by 1218 schoolchildren and students both in their educational and spare time activities and created a profile of a work and rest routine when working with mobile electronic devices. 943 students and schoolchildren were examined by an ophthalmologist. Next, issues related to hygienic education were integrated into the training program for medical students at the Hygiene Department of the Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University. The emphasis was on creating a safe routine of using mobile electronic devices. Schoolchildren and students who adhered to a healthy work and rest routine when working with mobile electronic devices complained about health disorders authentically less frequently (p ≤ 0.05).We established a statistically significant relative risk for visual acuity if schoolchildren and students did not pursue a safe routine of using mobile electronic devices. Its level was RR = 3.07 (95 % CI =1.88–5.03). By the end of hygienic studies with their focus on creating a safe routine of using mobile electronic devices, medical students had an authentic (p ≤ 0.05) increase in visual acuity due to decline in such states as routine accommodative excess and pre-myopia. Work and rest routines accepted by children, adolescents and youth when they use mobile electronic devices are a manageable risk factor of health disorders in these population groups. This study shows that hygienic education may be quite effective for correcting a routine of using mobile electronic devices by schoolchildren and students.