The association between smartphone addiction and thumb/wrist pain among medical students of Jazan University, Saudi Arabia, A cross-sectional study

• Published in: Journal of family medicine and primary care Vol. 13; no. 9; pp. 3695 - 3701
• Main Authors: Khired, Zenat Ahmed, Alhazmi, Sultan M., Mokli, Bandar I., Alhazmi, Asma H., Muafa, Khalid A., Bakri, Nawaf E., Hakami, Ali J., Alshekh, Fatmah O., Mosleh, Amani A., Baeshen, Rawdah A., Alhazmi, Feras I.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer - Medknow 01.09.2024; Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd; Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
• Edition: 2
• Subjects: Addiction; Analysis; College students; medial student; Medical students; Original; Original Article; saudi arabia; smartphone; thumb/wrist pain; Saudi Arabia; Saudi Arabia; medial student; smartphone; Addiction; thumb/wrist pain
• ISSN: 2249-4863; 2278-7135
• DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1581_23

ABSTRACT Background: The past decade has witnessed a revolution in smartphones owing to their growing importance and various applications. However, excessive usage can lead to addiction and joint pain in the wrist/thumb area. Despite these negative effects, smartphones offer medical students access to the resources they need. Objective: To determine the association between smartphone addiction and thumb/wrist pain among undergraduate students of Jazan University. Methods: A cross-sectional self-administrated, online survey and online convenience sample technique was used. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS Software. Results: This survey included 337 participants, of which two-thirds were female (66.8%) and the rest male (33.2%); 32.6% of the respondents were studying in the College of Medicine. Of the 337 participants, 32% reported experiencing pain in their wrists or at the back of their neck while using a smartphone. The study found an average Smartphone Addition Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) score of 32.5 ± 8.0 out of 50 and a total Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation score of 48.8 ± 14.7, with a pain score of 13.3 ± 11.0 and a function score of 35.5 ± 11.7. The study also revealed a significant association between smartphone addiction and thumb/wrist pain (P value = 0.029), with females and students of the College of Applied Medical Science associated with higher SAS-SV scores, thereby indicating higher smartphone addiction. Conclusion: Significant correlation exists between smartphone addiction and thumb/wirst pain among medical students of Jazan University.