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Indian Journal of Preventive Medicine

Volume  5, Issue 1, January - June 2017, Pages 27-31
 

Original Article

A Study of Sociodemographic Features of Mobile Usage among Medical Students

Likhita Siri*, Prakash Dudani**, Mahesh Tondare***, Sanjay Khandekar****, Anand Mugadlimath*****, Ramesh Patil******

Resident, Dept. of Community Medicine Ashwini Medical College, Solapur.*Assistant Professor, Dept of Community Medicine, Ashwini Rural Medical College, Solapur.**Assistant Professor, Dept of Community Medicine, Bidar Medical College, Bidar.***Associa

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DOI: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijpm.2321.5917.5117.5

Abstract

 Introduction: Mobile phone growth in India has been fast and it has reached all segments of society, especially the young. The cell phone is ever-present on college campuses and is frequently used in settings where learning occurs [5]. College students find the mobile phone to be an important window through which they can communicate and interact with the world. College students as a group appear more vulnerable to developing dependence on the mobile phone than any other segment of society. Materials & Methods: Type of study: Cross-sectional study. Study area: Ashwini Rural Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Kumbhari, Solapur. Study population: MBBS students of the Ashwini Rural Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Study duration: 2 months, Study instruments: pre- designed Questionnaire and clearance from the college Ethics committee. Results: students ranging from an age group between 18-23 yrs took part in the study, of which, 144(48%) were females and 156(52%) were males. The parental income-majority (65.3%) falls under the group 5lakhs-10lakhs. More than three forth (89%) of students had android operated phones. In the present study on an average at least 3 mobile phones were replaced by each student since the start. The average cost of mobile used by the students was 16117 Rupees . The average age at which mobile phone was first used was found to be 16.8yrs and the average monthly expenditure made was found to be 219 rupees. Every student who participated in the study had internet enabled on their phone. Conclusions: The mobile phone use had an adverse impact on the students in terms of psychological effects, cutting sleep and hampering studies. The data is indicative of nomophobia to be an emerging problem of the modern era. Multicentric studies are required to assess the real problem and thereby take appropriate steps to tackle the growing problem. make the students aware of the fact that mobile phone indeed serves as an educative tool. Our study paves way for further research regarding which specific educative tools are likely to help the medical students quench their thirst for knowledge.

Keywords: Sociodemographic Factors; Mobile Usage; Nomophobia; Cross Sectional Study.


Corresponding Author : Likhita Siri*