The association between ethical AI use and well-being among young adults in the UAE: a structural equation modeling approach

The optimal timing of sleep's influence on motor skill consolidation following observational sequence learning remains largely undefined. This study investigated how the interval between visual pattern observation and subsequent night-time sleep impacts skill retention. Forty female university students (mean age = 24.35 ± 1.25 years) were assigned to a wake control group (Noon-Night, observing at 12 PM) and three experimental groups undergoing overnight sleep with varying observation-to-sleep intervals: Noon-Morning (12 PM observation), Evening-Morning (6 PM observation) and Night-Morning (11:30 PM observation). Performance was assessed via overall reaction times on sequential trials (procedural task performance) and reaction time difference scores (sequence learning). Results of independent t-test on difference scores revealed no significant difference in sequence learning between the Noon-Morning and Noon-Night groups. The mixed ANOVA with repeated measures indicated that participants generally improved their sequence learning from training to retention. There were also significant overall differences in sequence learning among the groups, with the Night-Morning group exhibiting better performance. However, the interaction between group and test phase was not significant. Results on reaction time revealed the Noon-Morning group's reaction time was significantly faster than the Noon-Night group's, confirming a positive effect of night-time sleep on ASRTT performance. Mixed ANOVA indicated a significant interaction effect; both the Noon-Morning and Night-Morning groups demonstrated significantly better retention than the Evening-Morning group. These findings suggest a nonlinear, inverted-U relationship between the observation-sleep interval and procedural task performance, where optimal consolidation occurs with either very short or relatively long pre-sleep intervals.

BackgroundDysmenorrhea is the most common menstrual disorder among young women and often disrupts daily activities and well-being. Although pharmacological management is widely used, sustainable non-pharmacological strategies remain underexplored, particularly in low-resource settings. This study assessed the association between a behavioral change communication (BCC) module and dysmenorrhea among female university students in Bangladesh.MethodsA matched cross-sectional comparative study initially recruited 498 female students from three public universities. Students attending three BCC sessions were classified as exposed group, while those who did not attend served as non-exposed group. After exclusions, 472 participants were analyzed. Propensity score matching (1:1 nearest-neighbor, caliper of 0.01 and no replacement) yielded 98 matched pairs. The primary measure was the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT), estimated using a doubly robust method to evaluate the association between BCC exposure and dysmenorrhea prevalence in the matched samples.ResultsIn matched samples, the overall prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 69.4%. Prevalence was higher among non-exposed participants (77.6%) compared with those exposed to the BCC module (61.2%). Using the doubly robust estimator, BCC-exposed participants had a 23 percentage-point lower prevalence of dysmenorrhea than non-exposed participants (ATT = −0.23; 95% CI: −0.33 to −0.13; p < 0.001), after adjustment for observed covariates. This association remained consistent and statistically significant across regression adjustment and inverse probability weighting estimators of the ATT. Participants exposed to BCC module more frequently reported regular physical activity and higher dietary diversity, both associated with lower odds of dysmenorrhea in post-matching analyses.ConclusionExposure to a theory-driven BCC module was associated with lower reported dysmenorrhea prevalence and healthier lifestyle behaviors among female university students in Bangladesh. Due to non-random design and lack of baseline outcome data, results are associative rather than causal, highlighting the need for further longitudinal or randomized studies to evaluate the impact of BCC programs.

This study aimed to examine the impact of handwriting versus iPad writing on cervical alignment and pinch muscle strength among female university students at the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University. Thirty female students were divided into two equal groups: Group A engaged in handwriting, and Group B used iPad writing. The mean body mass index of the participants was 25.12kg/m². Each participant was instructed to write for 15min. Cervical range of motion (ROM) devices were used to assess cervical flexion, lateral bending, and rotation, whereas key pinch strength was measured to evaluate the strength of the dominant pinch muscles. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated no significant differences in the pinch strength outcome variables between the handwriting and iPad writing groups, F (1, 28) = 12.54, P = 0.25; η² = 0.05. The handwriting group exhibited lower mean values within their group compared to the iPad group. Furthermore, a repeated-measures ANOVA comparing the groups revealed no significant difference in the mean cervical range of motion (ROM) in flexion between the two groups (P = 0.67). However, the mean values for the handwriting group increased post-writing compared to those for the iPad group. The repeated-measures ANOVA between groups also demonstrated no significant difference in the mean cervical range of motion values for rotation to the right after writing for either group (P = 0.34) or for the cervical range of motion for rotation to the left (P = 0.49); however, an increase in the mean values of cervical rotation to the right was observed for the handwriting group. Using an iPad increases the degree of lateral bending and rotation to the left and right. In addition, the degree of right rotation increased in the iPad group. However, key-pinch muscle strength was lower in the handwriting group than in the iPad writing group.

Recently, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among young university students has garnered significant global attention. This study aimed to compare the demographics, behaviors, and knowledge of male and female college students, in addition to investigating the self-reported HIV-related behaviors and attitudes of sexually active college students in Zhejiang Province, eastern China. This cross-sectional study was conducted using stratified cluster sampling. A self-developed web-based questionnaire was used to collect demographic and sexual behavior data, and those only sexually active students were analyzed. The χ2 test was then used to compare the characteristics of the participants across different genders. A total of 3873 students who reported engaging in sexual activity were evaluated in this study, representing 12.2% of the total student population. Among them, 2734 were men, accounting for 19.1% of all male students (2734/14,320). Sexually active college students had an average age of 20.18 ± 1.37 years. Significant statistical differences were found between male and female students about age, grade, place of household registration, monthly living cost, family relationships, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-themed lectures or health education courses, HIV testing publicity, HIV risk self-assessment, voluntary counseling and testing for HIV, acceptance of one-night stands and commercial sex, condom use self-efficacy, and casual sex. The findings highlight significant gender disparities in sexual behaviors and HIV-related awareness among sexually active students, suggesting the need for gender-tailored sexual health education programs that address socioeconomic factors (e.g., household registration disparities) while strengthening condom use self-efficacy interventions, particularly for male students exhibiting higher-risk sexual practices. Sexually active college students displayed high levels of sexual openness and knowledge regarding HIV testing, but low testing rates, condom use, and condom use self-efficacy. In addition, a higher proportion of male students engaged in casual sex.

Premenstrual disorders (PMDs) affect approximately one in three women of reproductive age and have a substantial impact on daily functioning and mental health. Given the challenges observed in diagnosis and clinical management, understanding whether genetic predisposition and readily assessable factors jointly mark greater symptom burden may help inform future risk-stratified monitoring and assessment. After excluding 424 participants with missing data, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 1528 female college students from the Care of Premenstrual Emotion (COPE) cohort in China. Premenstrual symptoms and probable PMD cases were assessed with the Calendar of Premenstrual Experiences. Four psychosocial and behavioural factors, including alcohol consumption, psychological resilience, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and body mass index (BMI), were recorded through electronic questionnaires. The polygenic risk score (PRS) of depression was derived from trans-ancestry genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics. The associations and interactions of the PRS for depression and psychosocial and behavioural factors with premenstrual symptoms and probable PMD cases were examined. The average age of the participants was 20.1 ± 1.59 years. Positive associations were observed between the depression PRS, alcohol consumption, low psychological resilience, ACEs, and premenstrual symptoms; additionally, positive associations between low psychological resilience, ACEs, and probable PMDs were observed. The psychosocial and behavioural factor score was associated with more severe premenstrual symptoms (β = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.35-0.62, P < 0.001) and higher odds of probable PMDs (OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.42-2.73, P < 0.001). Specifically, compared with participants with low depression PRS and no adverse psychosocial-behavioural factors, participants with high depression PRS and alcohol consumption (β = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.14-0.51, P = 0.001), low psychological resilience (β = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.33-0.75, P < 0.001) or ACEs (β = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.08-0.43, P = 0.003) exhibited more severe premenstrual symptoms; moreover, participants with high depression PRS and ≥ 2 psychosocial-behavioural factor scores demonstrated the greatest burden of premenstrual symptoms (β = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.37-0.81, P < 0.001) and higher odds of probable PMDs (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.05-3.11, P = 0.035). If confirmed in prospective studies, a combined profile of genetic predisposition and psychosocial and behavioural factors may help identify young women who warrant closer evaluation for PMDs, and may inform future prevention-oriented studies focused on actionable exposures.

ABSTRACT Guided by self-determination theory, this study examined how encouraging compared with body-critical social media images influence exercise motivation, exercise intentions, and self-reported physical activity among college-aged female students. A cross-sectional, experimental survey design was used in which participants (198 female college students) viewed 10 encouraging and 10 critical social media stimuli presented in random order and rated each image’s motivational impact. Exercise motivation was assessed using the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire–3, exercise intention with a single-item measure, and physical activity using the Physical Activity Vital Sign. Pearson correlations, paired-sample t tests, and independent-samples t tests were conducted. Participants found the positive social media images (M = [4.29], SD = [1.17]) significantly more personally motivating for exercise than the negative social media images (M = [3.29], SD = [1.44]), t([196]) = [4.68], p = [<.001]. When grouped based on social media motivation (i.e. positive/encouraging or negative/critical), those who were motivated based on negative/critical images reported (M = 7.60, SD = 2.42) significantly and slightly higher exercise motivation for the upcoming week when compared to those motivated by positive/encouraging images (M = 7.11, SD = 2.99); t(196) = 4.90, p = 0.03, d = 2.78. This study showed that negative, body-critical content may elicit short-term, controlled motivation and intentions, whereas positive content aligns with more autonomous motivational profiles. Neither content type was associated with higher exercise behavior, suggesting social media may influence intentions more readily than sustained exercise.

In the modern apparel industry, there is a growing demand for sustainable and high-performance fabrics that combine aesthetic appeal with comfort and durability. Fibre blending has emerged as an effective strategy to enhance textile properties and develop versatile materials suitable for contemporary fashion applications. The present research aimed to develop and evaluate knitted garments from oak tasar/viscose (50:50) blends for sustainable western apparel, focusing on aesthetic appeal, mechanical performance, comfort, and color fastness. Consumer preferences, gathered from interviews with male and female college students from the university, favored column silhouettes, V-necklines, full-length dresses, notched collars, bell-bottom trousers, bust-length coats, and synthetic dyes. Twenty-five designs were shortlisted to five by a 10-expert panel, prototyped on a 34-inch dress form, and rated highly (4.6/5) for appearance by 45 respondents. The optimized blend exhibited superior mechanical properties, including bursting strength (~4.9 kg/cm²), drape coefficient (~35%), and abrasion resistance (&gt;1500 cycles). Comfort metrics showed air permeability (~185 cm³/cm²/s), thermal insulation (~15), and stretch recovery (~29%), while color fastness (AATCC standards) showed excellent wash, light, and rubbing ratings for synthetics, compare to naturals. These results confirm the blend's performance and market viability, with future applications in scalable production of eco-friendly activewear, professional attire, and adaptive clothing lines leveraging its durability and comfort.

Fast food is a highly prevalent choice of diet for Female university students because of its convenience and Affordability. Whichever the reason, good nutrition is vital for the best health and well-being. The issue is that, although the adequate intake of nutrients is crucial to health, relying too much on fast foods can lead to poor health consequences. The eating behavior of university women is usually influenced by social influences, time constraints, and financial limitations. This study investigated factors correlating with fast-food consumption and their relation to identity formation among 385 female university students in Egypt. A mixed-methods approach was used involving both survey and focus group techniques. These methods involved A survey that included participants' sociodemographic, eating habits, fast food knowledge, and attitudes about consumption; control perception related behaviors; subjective norms; and intentions. showed moderate awareness regarding risk factors associated with fast food (mean = 5.37 ± 1.74), though 67.8% considered fast food to be tasty. That awareness of health risks does not necessarily diminish its appeal. Attitudes toward fast food are moderately favorable (mean = 92.63 ± 15.06), though 57% believe fast food causes obesity. There was a significant relationship between perceived behavioral control (mean = 58.39 ± 9.47), which was influenced by craving and lack of time (p < 0.01). The subjective norms indicated that 74.3% considered family members' approval important (p < 0.05). The result showed that intentions to reduce fast food behavior are moderately favorable (mean = 30.22 ± 3.52). The result showed that obese subjects scored high values for all constructs compared to nonobese subjects (p < 0.01). Family income was found to positively correlate with values for all constructs (p < 0.05), though there was no significant association between parental education (p > 0.05). High values positively associated with attitude (r = 0.826), attitude (r = 0.331), perceived behavioral control (r = 0.202), and subjective norms (r = 0.253), which indicated association between attitude and intention (p < 0.001), attitude and intention (p < 0.01), perceived behavioral control (p < 0.05), subjective norms (p < 0.01), respectively. From these results, it appears that interventions based on attitude, perceived behavioral control, or social influences-focusing on self-efficacy-enhancing or socially influenced eating behavior-may prove to be more effective in encouraging healthier eating behaviors in female university-age students. Our study was registered retrospectively with Clinicaltrials.gov under the identifier NCT06783959 on 29 January 2025.

Navigating Pressure: Understanding Mental Health and Help-Seeking among Female University Students in Pakistan

Dynamic knee valgus is linked to reduced hip abduction strength, a critical factor in knee stability during unilateral movements. While interventions to reduce dynamic knee valgus often use traditional hip abduction training, many neglect the eccentric function of hip abductors, essential for controlling femoral medial translation. This pilot study compared the effects of a four-week-long eccentric vs. concentric hip abduction training on hip abduction torque, countermovement jump performance, dynamic knee valgus measured during one-legged jumping and drop landing, and determined if reductions in dynamic knee valgus correlated with increases in hip abduction torque and countermovement jump performance. Asymptomatic, physically active female college students (n = 20, 21.3 ± 2.51 years) with dynamic knee valgus were randomized to either eccentric or concentric hip abduction strength training. Testing included maximum hip abduction torque on an isokinetic dynamometer, single-leg countermovement jumps, and single-leg drop landings analyzed with 3D motion tracking. Participants trained three times per week for four weeks, performing four sets of 10 maximal effort repetitions. The two groups did not differ at baseline in any outcomes (all p > 0.05). Eccentric hip abduction torque improved over time (F = 39.7, p < 0.001) without a group-by-time interaction. Dynamic knee valgus decreased during single-leg countermovement jumps (time main effect: F = 33.5, p < 0.05) and single-leg drop landings (time main effect: F = 14.8, p < 0.05). The reductions in dynamic knee valgus, measured during single-leg countermovement jumps, were greater (p < 0.05) after eccentric vs. concentric training (group by time interaction: F = 5.57, p < 0.05). Countermovement jump improved similarly in the two groups (time main effect: F = 5.1, p < 0.05), without group by time interaction. Improvements in hip abduction maximal torque and countermovement jump performance, and changes in dynamic knee valgus outcomes did not correlate (p > 0.05). High-intensity eccentric versus concentric hip abductor strength training was superior in dynamic knee valgus improvement measured during single-leg countermovement jump but not during drop landings in asymptomatic young women, while both training modalities improved single leg countermovement jump performance.

This research aimed to investigate the impact of a structured nutrition education program on the dietary behaviours and mindful eating practices of university students. Given that the university phase is critical for developing healthy lifestyle choices, such initiatives show an important opportunity for public health improvement. A comparative quasi-experimental design was utilized, featuring both experimental and control groups exclusively comprising female students. The experimental group participated in a 14-week structured nutrition education program that integrated interdisciplinary content. The curriculum covered fundamental nutrition concepts, nutritional needs throughout different life stages, physical activity, food science, and principles of healthy eating behaviors. Each session reinforced behavioral awareness through discussions of relevant scientific literature. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted. At the conclusion of the program, the total score on the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) within the experimental group declined from 2.85 to 2.44; specifically, scores for external eating fell from 2.81 to 2.29, and emotional eating scores decreased from 3.18 to 2.59-each showing statistically significant reductions (p < 0.001). Conversely, the Mindful Eating Questionnaire (MEQ) score improved from 2.75±0.40 to 3.80±0.39 (p < 0.001). In contrast, no notable changes were recorded in either DEBQ or MEQ scores among participants in the control group (p > 0.05). A structured 14-week nutrition education program was associated with improved mindful eating and lower emotional, external, and restrained eating scores among female university students These findings underscore the positive transformations stemming from increased cognitive awareness, particularly regarding external and emotional eating tendencies. Nutrition interventions at universities appear to be an effective strategy for promoting both individual well-being and community health. Furthermore, these results highlight that effective nutrition education empowers individuals to integrate their knowledge into everyday practices. Therefore, it is essential to implement evidence-based methods and resources for nutrition education across all age groups and backgrounds.

Orthorexia nervosa (ON) has gained increasing attention among young adults, particularly among students in health-related fields. Although social media use and body-related attitudes have both been linked to disordered eating, their relative contribution to orthorexic tendencies remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the associations of social media addiction and weight bias with ON tendencies among female university students, with a particular focus on future dietitians. The sample of our cross-sectional study consisted of 262 female university students from four universities. The participants' ON tendencies were assessed with the Orthorexia-11 Scale (ORTO-11), social media addictions were assessed with the Social Media Addiction Scale-Student Form (SMAS-SF), and weight bias was assessed with the GAMS-27 scale. Overall, 45.8% of the participants exhibited a risk of orthorexic tendencies. Students in the nutrition and dietetics department were significantly more likely to be at risk of ON tendencies (56.5% vs. 35.1%, p < 0.001) and had higher weight bias scores (p < 0.001). Orthorexic students also demonstrated significantly greater weight bias compared with non-orthorexic students (p < 0.001). No significant association was found between social media addiction and risk of ON tendencies in descriptive or correlational analyzes. However, in linear regression analyzes, social media addiction showed a weak positive association with ORTO-11 scores (β = 0.144, p = 0.031), suggesting a limited and model-dependent relationship. Higher weight bias scores were significantly associated with lower ORTO-11 scores (β = -0.195, p = 0.002), indicating a higher risk of ON tendencies. Studying in the nutrition and dietetics department was also associated with lower ORTO-11 scores compared with other departments (β = -0.164, p = 0.025). Weight bias was significantly associated with the risk of ON tendencies among female university students. These findings suggest that addressing weight bias within nutrition and dietetics education may be important for fostering stigma-aware future professionals. It should be noted that ON tendency risk in this study was identified using a scale-based classification and should be interpreted with caution.

Background: As global climate challenges intensify, the paradigm of "Women-Led Development" has emerged as a critical driver for sustainable and equitable growth. While educational awareness is increasing, a significant "Value-Action Gap" persists among the youth. Objective: This study investigates the intersection of gender identity, internal ethical values, and environmental governance in predicting pro-environmental behaviour (PEB) among college students in Chennai. Methodology: Utilizing a quantitative cross-sectional design, data were collected from 178 female students using a structured 40-item instrument. The survey integrated the Climate Change Perceptual Awareness Scale (CCPAS) (Cipriani et al., 2024), the Integrated Pro-Environmental Behaviours Scale (I-PEBS) (Curcio et al., 2025), and governance indicators adapted from the UN Women Climate Policy Scorecard (2025). Key Results: The analysis reveals that postgraduate students exhibit significantly higher levels of climate awareness and behavioural engagement compared to undergraduates ($p &lt; 0.05$). A very strong positive correlation was identified between internal ethical values and actual PEB ($r =.880$), indicating that moral obligation is the primary driver of sustainable action. Furthermore, perceived fairness in institutional governance significantly influences the transition from awareness to tangible behaviour. Significance: These findings provide actionable insights for higher education institutions (HEIs) to adopt inclusive governance frameworks. By empowering students as ethical leaders, institutions can catalyse the transition toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the "Viksit Bharat 2047" vision.

ABSTRACT Amid record global displacement and increasingly politicized migration discourses Afghan refugee women entering U.S. community colleges often navigate multiple challenges that extend beyond language adjustment and academic integration, including legal-status complexity, compressed resettlement timelines, and caregiving responsibilities. Although refugee learners experience complex life situations, they are frequently misrecognized within institutional systems, limiting access to culturally responsive support. Using critical participatory action research (CPAR), this study examines the implementation of a five-module support program to foster psychological empowerment and a sense of belonging among 10 Afghan female community college students. Students engaged in critical self-reflection, storytelling, co-teaching, narrative therapy, and artistic expression. Developmental outcomes derived from engagement in the program included greater self-confidence, emotional awareness, community building, and sense of belonging. The group environment allowed for participants’ expression of their vulnerability, relational development, and the construction of a creative and action-oriented self. These students’ experience reaffirms the need to create culturally responsive programming that protects their psychological wellbeing and fosters a sense of community among minoritized populations in the community college context. Findings from this study encourage community college leaders to embrace three high leverage practices: a) understanding that equity requires psychosocial support, not only formal access to programs and resources, b) engaging in experiences of co-creation with students is a way to practice equity, c) fostering retention and sense of belonging through contextualized culturally sustaining practices.

This study employs the expert-novice paradigm to examine the visual search characteristics of expert players through basketball-specific decision-making tasks. A total of 48 female college students (24 basketball players and 24 regular college students) were selected as participants. First person video stimuli were used to explore the behavioral indicators and eye movement characteristics of professional basketball players in sports decision-making tasks using the eye tracker. (1) Compared with novice players, expert players demonstrated significantly shorter reaction times, higher decision accuracy, and greater decision-making confidence in the task. (2) Expert players exhibited shorter fixation durations and fewer fixation counts. There was a significant difference in fixation duration and frequency between novice and expert players in the relevant and irrelevant areas of interest, with the expert group showing longer fixation durations and higher fixation frequencies in the relevant areas of interest. The scanning trajectory of the expert group was simpler and more centralized. Expert players demonstrate faster reactions and higher accuracy in sport-related decision-making tasks, exhibiting visual search advantages, shorter fixation durations, fewer fixation counts, and more focused attention allocation in relevant areas of interest.

Prostaglandin E-major urinary metabolite (PGE-MUM) may be a useful biomarker for assessing muscle inflammation caused by physical exercise. To explore this, both male and female volunteer university students (n = 18) performed gradual loading treadmill tests. Peripheral blood and urine samples were obtained before (T1) and immediately after physical exercise (T2), and 2h later (T3) for measurement of PGE-MUM. PGE-MUM∙Cr (corrected by urinary creatinine) showed a significant stepwise increase from T1 to T3 in females (p = 0.0171) and the same tendency without significance was observed in males (p = 0.1533). Serum myoglobin showed the same trend, increasing from T1 to T3 in both males and females (p = 0.1690, 0.0443 respectively); Of note, females had a significant correlation between myoglobin and PGE-MUM∙Cr, (p = 0.0456), suggesting the involvement of muscle damage, but not between PGE-MUM∙Cr and peripheral leukocytosis after physical exercise. PGE-MUM∙Cr had no independent association with serum myoglobin after accounting for total muscle weight and maximal oxygen uptake/BW(VO2max/BW). Observable gender differences, with males showed significantly higher values of PGE-MUM∙Cr, myoglobin and creatinine in serum, and VO2max/BW than females, suggest a possible relation of PGE-MUM∙Cr with muscle weight and inflammation.

Digital addiction among female university students: a cross-sectional study in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Introduction: Understanding polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), its symptoms, and consequences is crucial for early treatment and the prevention of future major issues. The exact cause of PCOS remains unknown, making it challenging for physicians to provide an accurate diagnosis.Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the awareness of the prevalence and features of PCOS among female university students in Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.Methodology: A descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted among female undergraduate university students in Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. A random sampling method was used. Self-administered questionnaires were administered, which included demographic data and questions related to awareness, such as symptoms, complications, and specific control measures. All responses were compiled into an Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using SPSS 25. All information was presented as percentages. The mean pain score and standard deviation were calculated, and statistically significant differences (P&lt;0.005) were reported.Results: The overall degree of awareness is relatively low (&lt;40%), excluding the symptom of an irregular menstrual cycle. While the internet is the most commonly used method (49%), students who acquired knowledge from health care practitioners scored higher (17.56±3.719). The highest mean awareness score was reported by students in the medical faculty (18.22±5.345). There was a significant difference in mean scores based on the field of study and information sources (P&lt;0.05).Conclusions: Female undergraduate students at the University of Peradeniya have a significant knowledge gap regarding PCOS. Awareness programs should be enhanced by involving qualified parties specializing in relevant subjects through Google and social media.

Smartphone have become an integral and indispensable part of daily life with their widespread availability and advanced features leading to a rapid increase in usage, especially among students. While they support many everyday tasks, prolonged use may contribute to poor posture and musculoskeletal problems. Their constant accessibility and multifunctional nature have also raised concerns about overuse and the development of behavioral addiction, making them both essential and potentially problematic in modern society. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of Smartphone addiction among male and female university students. This cross-sectional study included 200 university students (100 males and 100 females) who used smart phone for more than one hour daily. Smartphone addiction was assessed using the Smartphone Addiction Scale short version (SAS-SV) with standard cutoff values. The findings revealed a high prevalence of addiction with 59% of males and 50% of females identified as addicted while 36% of males and 43% of females were at high risk; only a small proportion showed no addictive behavior. Overall, the results indicate that Smartphone addiction has reached concerning levels, highlighting the need for increased awareness and effective intervention strategies.