Work

Prevalence and Predictors of Nomophobia among Medical Students of a University in South India

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Nomophobia, the fear of being without mobile phone contact, is recognized as a behavioral addiction characterized by anxiety when individuals are unable to access their smartphones or mobile networks. This phenomenon is increasingly observed among medical students, whose academic and personal reliance on smartphones is significant. The present study aims to determine the prevalence of nomophobia and identify the factors predicting its occurrence among undergraduate medical students at a University in Belagavi, South India. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over 1 year among 416 undergraduate medical students using a universal sampling technique. After obtaining informed consent, data were collected using a predesigned structured questionnaire covering sociodemographic details and smartphone usage patterns. Nomophobia was assessed using the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q). Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS v23.0, and P values <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The median (interquartile range) age of participants was 21 (2) years, and the overall prevalence of nomophobia was 97.4%. Significant associations were observed between nomophobia and age group, frequency of smartphone checks, and the number of applications installed. Among the four dimensions of nomophobia, the highest mean score was observed for not able to communicate (4.16 ± 1.54), followed by not able to access information, losing connectedness, and giving up convenience. Conclusion: The prevalence of nomophobia among medical students is alarmingly high and consistent with other studies. These findings highlight the urgent need for awareness, targeted interventions, and support systems to mitigate smartphone-related anxiety and its potential impact on student wellbeing and academic performance.

Source: Indian Journal of Community Medicine

DOI: 10.4103/ijcm.ijcm_553_24

Authors: S Yogeshkumar, Sasitharan Muthusamy, Rohit D. Bamane

Institutions: Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research

Language: English

Topic: Impact of Technology on Adolescents

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $80