Prevalence and Associated Factors of Problematic Use of Smartphones Among Adults in Qassim, Saudi Arabia: Cross-sectional Survey

Al‐Mohaimeed, Abdulrahman; Alharbi, Mansour; Mahmud, Ilias

doi:10.2196/37451

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 25 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Our study, reporting an SMA prevalence of 59%, reflects concerns raised in similar local studies among adults in Qassim, dental students in Saudi Arabia, and medical students at KAU, where participants exhibited addictive behaviors with prevalences of 64% [ 11 ], 71.9% [ 16 ], and 73.4% [ 9 ], respectively. On the contrary, other local studies have shown a lower percentage of SMA.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

“…In contrast, studies conducted by Aljomaa et al [ 17 ] and Alhazmi et al [ 18 ] unveiled a pattern where males exhibited a higher frequency of smartphone usage, while another study conducted by Al-Mohaimeed et al found no statistically significant association between gender and problematic smartphone use. Age and marital status could potentially contribute to the variance between the studies, as older and married women may have had additional responsibilities that kept them occupied compared to the students [ 11 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The sample size was calculated using the OpenEpi sample size calculator [ 10 ]. An expected prevalence of 64% for problematic use of smartphones was considered based on a study conducted among the adult population in the Qassim region [ 11 ]. At a 95% confidence level with 5% absolute precision, the required sample size was 354.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Problematic Use of Smartphones and Sleep Quality Among Healthcare Workers in Qassim, Saudi Arabia

Aldukhayel,

Rabbani

2024

Cureus

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background and objectives Problematic use of smartphones among healthcare workers can affect their performance, patient care, safety, care outcomes, and patient satisfaction. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of problematic use of smartphones and the relationship between the problematic use of smartphones and sleep quality among healthcare workers in Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Methods We enrolled 393 healthcare workers conveniently selected online for this cross-sectional survey. We assessed the problematic use of smartphones using the short version of the Smartphone Addiction Scale. For sleep quality, we used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Linear regression was used to assess the association of problematic use of smartphones with sleep quality. IBM SPSS Statistics, version 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY) was used for analyses. Results The prevalence of smartphone addiction (SMA) was 59.0%, and 30.5% were at high risk for addiction. The mean PSQI score was 11.56 ± 2.1 out of 21. It was found that female gender was associated with poor sleep quality (adjusted B = 0.45, p-value = 0.049). On the other hand, SMA was also significantly associated with poor sleep quality (adjusted B = 0.90, p-value = 0.016). Conclusion There is a high prevalence of problematic use of smartphones among healthcare workers, which is associated with poor sleep quality. Given the significant occurrence of problematic smartphone use among healthcare professionals and its detrimental effects on sleep quality, it is crucial for public health initiatives to devise and execute suitable preventive measures, such as smartphone use policies at work and education of workers.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Problematic Use of Smartphones and Sleep Quality Among Healthcare Workers in Qassim, Saudi Arabia

Aldukhayel,

Rabbani

2024

Cureus

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The widespread adoption of smartphones has revolutionized communication and access to information globally. In Saudi Arabia, as in many countries, smartphone penetration is exceptionally high, with a significant proportion of the population relying extensively on these devices for daily tasks, communication, and entertainment [ 1 ]. While smartphones offer undeniable convenience, prolonged usage has raised concerns regarding their potential health impacts, particularly on musculoskeletal health [ 2 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Musculoskeletal Health Risks Associated With Smartphone Use: A Retrospective Study from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abu Halimah,

Mojiri,

Hakami

et al. 2024

Cureus

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Smartphone usage has become ubiquitous in Saudi Arabia with concerns growing over its impact on musculoskeletal health. Globally, various musculoskeletal symptoms have been linked to smartphone use such as neck pain, headaches, and shoulder discomfort, often exacerbated by poor posture and prolonged screen time. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to investigate the impact of smartphone use on musculoskeletal health among adults aged 18 years and older. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling from various settings such as universities, workplaces, and public areas. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered both online and in paper format, covering demographic characteristics, smartphone usage behaviors, awareness of smartphone-related health effects, and the prevalence and severity of musculoskeletal symptoms. Results: A total of 413 participants from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were surveyed to assess musculoskeletal symptoms associated with smartphone use. Demographic analysis revealed a predominantly young, single, and highly educated population, primarily Saudi nationals. Smartphone usage patterns showed extensive daily use, with over 41% using their devices for more than five hours daily. The majority were aware of smartphone-related health effects. Musculoskeletal symptoms were prevalent, notably neck pain (83.8%), arm pain (63.8%), and headaches (71.2%). The incidence of symptoms related to text neck syndrome was substantial, although awareness and diagnosis were limited. The severity of symptoms varied, with mild to moderate levels reported most frequently. Conclusion: This study highlights a substantial prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among smartphone users in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for public health interventions to promote ergonomic practices and mitigate health risks associated with smartphone use. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to establish causal relationships and evaluate intervention strategies aimed at reducing these symptoms effectively.

show abstract

Regular Mobile Phone Use and Incident Cardiovascular Diseases: Mediating Effects of Sleep Patterns, Psychological Distress, and Neuroticism

Zhang,

Ye,

Zhang

et al. 2024

Canadian Journal of Cardiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Problematic Use of Smartphones Among Adults in Qassim, Saudi Arabia: Cross-sectional Survey

Cited by 5 publications

References 25 publications

Problematic Use of Smartphones and Sleep Quality Among Healthcare Workers in Qassim, Saudi Arabia

Problematic Use of Smartphones and Sleep Quality Among Healthcare Workers in Qassim, Saudi Arabia

Musculoskeletal Health Risks Associated With Smartphone Use: A Retrospective Study from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Regular Mobile Phone Use and Incident Cardiovascular Diseases: Mediating Effects of Sleep Patterns, Psychological Distress, and Neuroticism

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About