Effects of Smartphone Addiction on the Health of Nursing Students

N. Chinna Chadayan^* and D. Melba Sahaya Sweety
^*Correspondence: N. Chinna Chadayan, Department of Nursing, Enam Nursing College, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Tel: +91-9345365369, Email:

Keywords

Educational interventions • Health impacts • Nursing students • Smartphone addiction • Technology use

Introduction

The digital revolution has transformed daily life, making smartphones indispensable for communication, information and entertainment. These portable and cost-effective devices have become a constant companion for many individuals [1]. Smartphone use has grown across all economic and age groups, with university students among the largest user groups [2]. About half of mobile users in India have switched to smartphones [3]. Among adolescents, smartphone addiction rates are between 39% and 46%, which is a public health concern [4-6]. While smartphones, tablets and computers can be highly productive tools, excessive use of these devices can disrupt work, school and relationships [7]. This addiction is linked to health problems like sleep disturbances, anxiety and depression [8-10]. This study aims to assess the prevalence of smartphone addiction and its health effects among GNM students at a nursing college in Murshidabad District to better understand and address this growing issue.

Objective: To assess smartphone addiction and its health impacts among nursing students.

Literature Review

In their study, Patel R and Gupta S [11] investigated how smartphone addiction correlates with academic performance among university students. They discovered that greater smartphone addiction was associated with poorer academic outcomes, underscoring the detrimental impact of excessive smartphone use on education. The research underscores the importance of promoting responsible smartphone habits among students. Arathi TV, et al. [12] explored the impact of smartphones, noting how they've replaced many other devices like computers, calculators, radios and cameras. While smartphones offer great benefits and convenience, especially for students, their study at Adichunchanagiri College of Nursing found that most students experienced a decline in academic performance due to spending less time on studies and library resources. This indicates that despite their advantages, smartphones can harm academic progress if not used responsibly.

Methodology

Study design

This research employs a descriptive survey approach to assess smartphone addiction and its health impacts among GNM nursing students at a specific college in Murshidabad District. This method allows for systematic data collection and analysis to depict the prevalence, patterns and consequences of smartphone addiction within this student group.

Sample

The study will involve 50 GNM nursing students selected from the designated college in Murshidabad District. Total enumeration sampling, where every GNM student will be included, ensures equitable representation and comprehensive insights into the target population.

Data collection

Data will be gathered using custom-designed, self-administered questionnaires tailored specifically for this research. The questionnaires will comprise two main sections:

Results

This (Table 1) provides a clear overview of the findings from the study among GNM nursing students revealing several noteworthy trends. Most students were from the 3rd year (39.19%), followed closely by the 2nd year (31.76%) and the 1st year (29.05%), indicating a balanced representation across academic levels. The majority, 58.73%, indicated that their monthly family income falls within the range of INR 25,000-50,000. With significant percentages from urban areas (66.89%). Regarding smartphone usage, a majority used their phones for less than 3 hours daily (54.05%), primarily for social networking and calls (100%), with many also using them for entertainment (81.08%) and web surfing (63.51%). Health-wise, most students reported no issues (90.54%), while a small percentage noted health problems (9.46%). In terms of smartphone addiction, a majority did not perceive themselves as addicts (61.49%), though 13.51% identified as such and 25% were unsure. These findings underscore the diverse usage patterns and perceptions of smartphone use among GNM students, highlighting areas for potential educational and health interventions (Table 2).

The findings from the Table indicate that among the nursing students surveyed (N=50), smartphone addiction levels were predominantly moderate, with 57.43% of students falling into this category. A notable 37.84% exhibited mild addiction, while a smaller proportion, 4.73%, showed severe addiction tendencies. The mean smartphone addiction score was found to be 49.13 (± 10.76), with scores spanning from 25 to 82. This indicates that most students exhibit moderate levels of smartphone addiction, highlighting a considerable prevalence of smartphone dependency among nursing students at the institution surveyed. The variability in scores reflects differing degrees of reliance on smartphones, highlighting the need for further research and interventions to address this issue effectively. Item-wise ranking of scores of Smartphone addiction among students N=50

The (Table 3) summarizes the results concerning the health effects of smartphone addiction observed in a group of 50 nursing students. Scores ranged from 20 to 45, with an average score of 28.05 and a standard deviation of ± 4.67. These scores indicate diverse levels of health impacts related to smartphone addiction, with higher scores indicating more pronounced consequences. The findings underscore the substantial impact of smartphone use on nursing students' health, emphasizing the importance of interventions and educational initiatives to minimize these effects and encourage healthier technology habits among students.

According to the findings from the (Table 4), the primary health effects of smartphone addiction among 50 nursing students include insufficient sleep, diminished concentration, headaches and mental fatigue. These issues are prevalent, indicating a notable link between smartphone addiction and disturbances in sleep patterns, decreased ability to concentrate, frequent headaches and overall mental exhaustion. These impacts underscore critical areas where interventions and support strategies could effectively address the negative consequences of excessive smartphone usage in this group.

Based on a sample size of N=50 nursing students, this (Table 5) illustrates the relationship between smartphone addiction and different personal variables. Significant associations were observed with the duration of smartphone use (p<0.05) and self-assessment of smartphone addiction (p<0.05). However, variables like year of study, family monthly income and place of residence and health issues did not show significant associations with smartphone addiction (p>0.05).

Major Findings

Demographics

Year of study: The majority (39.19%) were in their third year.

Family monthly income: Most (58.73%) had an income of INR 25,000-50,000.

Smartphone use

Daily usage: 54.05% used smartphones for <3 hours, 39.87% for 3-6 hours and 6.08% for >6 hours.

Usage activities: All used smartphones for calls and social networking; 81.08% for entertainment; 63.51% for web surfing.

Self-evaluation of addiction

Addiction perception: 61.49% reported non-addiction, 13.51% reported addiction and 25% were unsure.

Levels of addiction

Severity: 57.43% had moderate addiction, 37.84% mild and 4.73% severe.

Health impacts

Common issues: Included inadequate sleep, poor concentration, headaches and tiredness.

Mean health impact score: 28.05 (± 4.67) out of a range of 20-45.

Key findings

Addiction behaviors: Common behaviors included frequent smartphone checking and feeling the need to reduce usage time.

Significant associations: Duration of smartphone use and self-evaluation of addiction were significantly linked to addiction levels.

No significant association: Monthly family income and place of living did not significantly influence addiction levels.

These reframed findings summarize the main points of each heading in a clear and concise manner.

Discussion

Demographics and smartphone use

This study focused on GNM students at an institute, revealing that 39.19% of students were in their third year of study and 58.73% reported a family monthly income between INR 25,000 to 50,000 [13]. Smartphone usage patterns showed that 54.05% used their phones for less than 3 hours daily, 39.87% for 3-6 hours and 6.08% for more than 6 hours. All students used smartphones for social networking and calls, with significant engagement in entertainment (81.08%) and web surfing (63.51%) [14,15].

Levels of smartphone addiction

The study assessed smartphone addiction levels among GNM students, finding that 57.43% had moderate addiction, 37.84% had mild addiction and 4.73% exhibited severe addiction [16]. These findings underscore the prevalent dependency on smartphones among nursing students.

Health impacts

Common health issues associated with smartphone addiction include inadequate sleep hours, poor concentration, headaches and mental fatigue [17,18]. The mean health impact score was 28.05 (± 4.67), indicating moderate health disruption caused by smartphone use.

Addiction behaviors

Students exhibited typical addictive behaviors such as frequent smartphone checking without new notifications and a persistent desire to reduce usage time, despite difficulties in doing so [19-21].

Significant associations

The study identified significant associations between the duration of smartphone use and self-evaluation of addiction with addiction levels among GNM students [5]. These factors played a crucial role in determining the severity of smartphone addiction in this demographic.

Limitations and Recommendations

Subsequent research should replicate these findings on a larger scale to improve their relevance across diverse student populations. Additionally, future studies should explore the broader impacts of smartphone addiction on behavior, psychology and academic performance among nursing students and develop effective interventions to manage and mitigate these effects [10].

Conclusion

To conclude, this study underscores the widespread problem of smartphone addiction among General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) students. A majority of students exhibited moderate levels of addiction, impacting their health and daily functioning stayed by Ashwini KM, et al. Smartphone use was pervasive, primarily for social networking and entertainment, despite associated health issues like poor sleep and reduced concentration supported by Padmanabhan T and Mittraa K. Key addictive behaviors included frequent checking and difficulty in reducing usage time. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions to promote responsible smartphone use and support student well-being. Future research sould explore broader impacts and replicate findings across diverse student populations to inform effective intervention strategies.

Acknowledgement

None.

Conflict of Interest

None.

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