Effect of Smartphone Overuse on Sleep Problems in Medical Students
Year: 2018
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Smartphones are used worldwide. Consequently, it does seem to be having an impact on health-related problems \nif overused. However, it is uncertain whether it is associated with sleep problems or poor learning. \nObjective: To determine the association between smartphone overuse and sleep problems in medical students as primary outcome and poor learning as secondary outcome. \nMethods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 89 students having their own smartphones, at Hatyai Medical Education \nCentre, Thailand. The habits of using smartphone were obtained. Smartphone overuse during bedtime was defined as using longer \nthan 1 hour according to Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS). The primary outcome was napping in a classroom that was defined \nas a problem if it happened more than 20% of the time attending class. Sleep problems using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index \n(PSQI) and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) were obtained by self-assessment. Learning outcome measured by grade point \naverage was the secondary outcome. Multivariable analysis was performed for the association between smartphone overuse and \nsleep problems. \nResults: Of all students, 77.5% had sleep problems and 43.6% had napped in the classroom. No personal characteristics, daily \nlife behaviours, and physical environments were associated with sleep problems. 70.8% of all students found to over use \nsmartphones during bedtime. The Facebook website was the most popular. Smartphone overuse was significantly associated with poor sleep quality (odds ratio= 3.46) and napping in the classroom (odds ratio=4.09) but not grade point average. \nConclusion: Smartphone overuse during bedtime in medical students is associated with sleep problems but not learning \nachievement.
Source: The Asia Pacific Scholar
Author: Pairoj Boonluksiri
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2800333277