Perceived Health Risks Associated with Smartphone Use Among Health College Students at Qassim University in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background Smartphones have evolved into a fusion of traditional personal digital assistants and cellular phones, integrating mobile communication capabilities with features parallel to those of a handheld computer. Objective This study aimed to assess the health risks associated with smartphone use and the prevalence and nature of observed health issues among health college students at Qassim University in Saudi Arabia. Methods Employing a descriptive cross-sectional research design, this study surveyed a convenience sample of 511 health college students at Qassim University. The data collection instrument comprised two sections: Section 1 assessed sociodemographic, academic, and health-related information, while Section 2 evaluated the health risks as perceived by students. Results The majority of the participants were women (71%) and were studying nursing (26%). A significant proportion (39.9%) reported blurred vision, while 38.6% indicated a lack of adequate sleep. Notably, no significant association was observed between the health complaints and sociodemographic information. The analysis also revealed no significant relationship between health complaints and smartphone usage patterns. Conclusion The findings highlight a critical need for further research to investigate the factors contributing to the effect of smartphone use on the physiological well-being of university students. Such research is essential for developing targeted interventions to mitigate the associated health risks.