A STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE OF SMARTPHONE ADDICTION AND ITS EFFECT ON QUALITY OF SLEEP AMONG MEDICAL UNDER GRADUATES

Background: The modern era is an era of technology. The smartphones, though being useful have hit hardly both our physical and mental health. Both these aspects have impacted our quality of sleep, especially those of students who are totally dependent on these gadgets. Prevalence of smartphone addiction have been found to lie between 40-60% in various previous studies, which have also shown an association between its use and quality of sleep. So, the current study was undertaken among medical undergraduates to evaluate the presence of smartphone addiction and its impact on the quality of sleep and various other aspects. Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of smartphone addiction in undergraduate students of medical college and its effect as well as relationship to the quality of sleep. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was done in the Rama Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre. All the medical under graduates who were willing and gave their consent to participate were enrolled in the study, constituting a total of 390 students. The prevalence of smartphone addiction and the quality of sleep was measured using Standard scales and the purpose of its usage was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Prevalence of smartphone addiction among the undergraduate students of medical college was found to be 51.79%. Among the addicted 53.79% were boys and 46.04% were girls. Sleep quality of 55.38% individuals was poor. A highly signicant association (p<0.0001) was found between the smartphone addiction and sleep disturbances. Conclusion: The prevalence of smartphone addiction among the undergraduates of medical college is found to be high, and a highly signicant association is found between the prevalence of addiction and the deteriorating sleep quality