Smart phone usage pattern and associated insomnia among undergraduate students of a Medical College in Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Introduction: With increased integration of technology into medical education, smart phones have become an indispensable tool. Excess exposure to smart phones and its inadvertent use result in adverse health consequences, both physical and psychological. This study was planned to assess smart phone usage pattern and prevalence of smart phone addiction among undergraduate medical students and to identify association between smart phone usage and insomnia. Material and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students of a medical college in Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, during January and February 2020. A total of 221 students from first, second, and third year MBBS participated. A Google Form with informed consent, smart phone usage practices, Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV), and Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) was used as study tool. Data were summarized as percentages, mean, and standard deviation and appropriate statistical tests of significance applied using SPSS software. Results: Approximately half the students (49.3%) used smart phones for up to 3 h daily. Online videos (37.5%) and social media (34.9%) were the most common applications used; 39.4% skipped night-time sleep to use smart phone. The prevalence of smart phone addiction and insomnia was 23.5% and 30%, respectively. Gender, duration of use, time spent in online chats, and Internet search were significantly associated with insomnia; 51.9% of those with smart phone addiction reported insomnia (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of smart phone addiction and associated insomnia are high among medical students. With evolving need for technology in medical education, it is imperative that students are sensitized to rational use of smart phones.