Association Between Electronic Gadget Use with Physical and Mental Health Wellbeing Among the Students in Natore District, Bangladesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background Use of electronic gadgets are increasing day by day among adolescents and that can cause different types of health issues and addiction into it. This study defined the association between electronic gadgets use and the health issues faced by the adolescents in Baraigram, Natore, Bangladesh.

Method A total of 387 secondary school and higher secondary school students age between 14 to 18 years old participated in the study. The children were asked questions relating to their access to electronic gadgets, time spent on outdoor activities, and whether they experienced any health-complications as an after-effect of the usage. A cross table was adapted considering time spent on gadgets as an independent variable and health problems (physical and mental) as the dependent variable. Data were collected through using the structured questionnaire by face to face interviewing.

Result This study has found that almost all of the participants use the electronic gadgets as mobile/smart phone (98.2%). 88.6% of the participants use their gadgets because of study purposes and doing the online classes. Among the participants practicing physical activity is very less. 74.2% of the participants do less than one hour of physical activity (mostly go to school, coaching or private by walk rather than other outdoor activities like playing or exercise practicing). There is an association observed between electronic gadget use and physical health problem (Headache, back pain, hand pain, eye problem, sleeping disturbance and visual disturbance) and mental health problem (mostly loneliness and shortness of temper) (p<0.05).

Conclusion The study has found a significant association between electronic gadgets use and health complications among the adolescent students.