Evaluation of the Risk of Multi-Screen Addiction Among Medical Students in Türkiye

Background

Medical students may experience greater exposure to multiple screens due to visual learning materials and pressure to achieve high academic performance within a limited period of time. This study aimed to assess the risk of multiple screen addiction among students and to examine the associated characteristics.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted during the 2025 academic year among medical students at Eskisehir Osmangazi University. All students were invited to participate. Data were collected using a questionnaire that included questions on characteristics related to screen addiction, the Computer Vision Syndrome Questionnaire (CVS-Q), and the Multiple Screen Addiction Scale (MSAS).

Results

A total of 1152 students (mean age: 20.7 ± 2.3 years) were included in the study. The prevalence of risk for multiple screen addiction was 65.4% (n = 753). Higher risk was observed among students with poor family income (OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.0–2.0), those with a physician-diagnosed mental health condition (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.1–2.8), those spending ≥7 hours per day on screen devices (OR: 4.3; 95% CI: 2.8–6.8), those who did not take regular breaks (OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.2–2.2), those who did not use screen filters (OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1–1.9), and those with suspected digital eye strain (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.4–2.6).

Conclusions

Low family income, excessive daily screen time, physician-diagnosed mental health problems, lack of regular breaks during screen use, not using screen filters, and suspected digital eye strain were associated with a higher risk of multiple screen addiction among medical students. These findings highlight the importance of promoting healthy screen use habits and preventive strategies in this population.

Key messages

• Low socioeconomic status and physician-diagnosed mental health problems are key risk factors for multiple screen addiction.

• Preventive strategies should address screen use patterns and promote protective habits among students.