Prevalence of Mobile Phone Dependence (MPD) among Medical Students: An Observational study

Abstract

Background & Aim: With the advent of the smartphone, new unbounded possibilities have opened up, bringing with them an array of mental, behavioural, psychological and dependence issues. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of mobile phone dependence (MPD) among undergraduate medical students.

Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted. Three hundred and forty medical students, from each of the 4 years from a Medical College in Navi Mumbai were included. They were administered an MPD questionnaire and based on their responses, participants fulfilling three or more of the diagnostic criteria were rated as having MPD.

Results: Out of the total, mobile phone dependence was found in 15% (51/340) of undergraduate medical students. Higher prevalence of MPD was observed in males in comparison to females. MPD was significantly associated with the year of medical course, but not associated with gender, mobile phone type (smartphone users) and years of mobile phone usage.

Conclusion: Although the prevalence of mobile phone dependence (MPD) was low (15 %), it is only the tip of the iceberg. There is need to identify medical students with dependence syndrome for mobile phone so that early counselling, educational initiatives (for a self-corrective behavioural strategies) and treatment intervention can be planned and initiated.