Smartphone Usage and Addiction among Undergraduate Dental Students in South India: A Cross-sectional Study
نویسندگان
1 GMC, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India
2 Department of Public Health Dentistry, St. Joseph Dental College, Duggirala, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India
3 Department of Public Health Dentistry, St. Joseph Dental College, Duggirala, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India
4 Department of Public Health Dentistry, St. Joseph Dental College, Duggirala, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India
doi
10.34172/ahj.1546چکیده
Background: Mobile phones have become a vital part of modern life, generating concerns about addiction among students. The present study aimed to assess smartphone usage and addiction among undergraduate dental students in Eluru, Andhra Pradesh.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 304 dental students using a pre-designed questionnaire based on the Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Version (SAS-SV). Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.Findings: Out of 304 participants, most spent 3–4 hours on smartphones. Females showed slightly lower addiction scores than males. Addiction tendencies differed across different academic years, with second-year students scoring the highest.Conclusion: The study’s findings suggested that most dental students were addicted to smartphones. The study also revealed that having a smartphone was a crucial asset in their daily lives, and they preferred smartphones with advanced features.