Factors associated with mobile phone usage to access maternal and child healthcare among women of urban slums in Dhaka, Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionWith the acute shortage of human resources and infrastructure, mobile phones can be a critical tool for accessing health services and strengthening health systems in Bangladesh. Yet, there is a scarcity of evidence on the use of mobile phones in this context for accessing health services. In this study, we sought to explore the current use of mobile phones for accessing maternal and child healthcare and its determinants among recently delivered women in urban slums of Bangladesh.MethodsThe data were collected through interviewing 800 recently delivered women from eight slums of Dhaka city of Bangladesh during May and June 2018. The study followed a cross-sectional design and a two-stage cluster random sampling procedure was followed. A pretested structured questionnaire was employed to collect information. Chi square tests were performed for descriptive analyses and a multilevel binary logistic regression model was executed to explore the determinants of mobile phone usage for accessing maternal and childcare among the participants.ResultsOverall, 73.8% of study participants used mobile phones for accessing maternal and child healthcare. After adjusting for potential confounders, participants’ age, husband’s occupation, sex of household head, women’s ownership of mobile phones and household wealth status were found to be significantly associated with higher odds of using mobile phones to access maternal and child healthcare.ConclusionThe study highlighted the possibility of implementing large-scale mobile health (mHealth) interventions in slum settlements for accessing maternal and child healthcare and is a sustainable mitigation strategy for the acute health worker crisis in Bangladesh. The findings of this study are particularly crucial for policymakers and practitioners while they revise the health policy to incorporate mHealth interventions as highlighted in the recently initiated Digital Health Strategy of Bangladesh.

Download Full-text

Relationships Between the Usage of Televisions, Computers, and Mobile Phones and the Quality of Sleep in a Chinese Population: Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.18095 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Yao Jie Xie ◽

Daphne SK Cheung ◽

Alice Y Loke ◽

Bernice L Nogueira ◽

Karry M Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sleep Quality ◽

Mobile Phone ◽

Mobile Phones ◽

Chinese Population ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Computer Usage ◽

Tv Viewing ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mobile Phone Usage

BACKGROUND No study has comprehensively investigated the association between the usage of typical screen-based electronic media devices and sleep quality in a Chinese population with individuals in a wide range of ages. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to understand the characteristics of television (TV) viewing, computer usage, and mobile phone usage in a representative Chinese population in Macau and to examine their roles in predicting the variations in sleep quality. METHODS This cross-sectional study was an analysis of 1500 Macau residents aged 15 to 90 years based on a community-based health needs assessment study entitled, “Healthy Living, Longer Lives.” Data collection was conducted in 7 districts of Macau from 2017 to 2018 through face-to-face interviews. The durations of daily TV viewing, computer usage, and mobile phone usage were recorded in a self-administered questionnaire. The Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess the sleep quality. RESULTS The prevalence of TV, computer, and mobile phone usage was 78.4% (1176/1500), 51.6% (769/1490), and 85.5% (1276/1492), respectively. The average daily hours of usage were 1.75 (1.62), 1.53 (2.26), and 2.85 (2.47) hours, respectively. Females spent more time watching TV (P=.03) and using mobile phones (P=.02) and less time on the computer (P=.04) as compared to males. Older adults were more likely to watch TV while young people spent more time using the computer and mobile phones (P for all trends<.001). The mean PSQI global score was 4.79 (2.80) among the participants. Females exhibited significantly higher PSQI scores than males (5.04 vs 4.49, respectively; P<.001). No linear association was observed between the PSQI score and the amount of time spent on the 3 electronic devices (P=.58 for PSQI-TV, P=.05 for PSQI-computer, and P=.52 for PSQI-mobile phone). Curve estimation showed significant quadratic curvilinear associations in PSQI-TV (P=.003) and PSQI-computer (P<.001) among all the participants and in PSQI-mobile phone among youths (age, 15-24 years; P=.04). After adjustment of the gender, age, body mass index, demographics, and lifestyle factors, more than 3 hours of TV viewing and 4 hours of computer usage or mobile phone usage was associated with 85% (95% CI 1.04-1.87; P=.008), 72% (95% CI 1.01-2.92; P=.045), and 53% (95% CI 1.06-2.22; P=.03) greater odds of having poor sleep quality (PSQI score>5), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The mobile phone was the most popular screen-based electronic device used in the Macau population, especially among young people. “J” shape associations were observed between sleep quality and the duration of TV viewing, computer usage, and mobile phone usage, indicating that the extreme use of screen-based electronic devices predicted poorer sleep status, whereas moderate use would be acceptable.

Download Full-text

Women Using Mobile Phones for Health Communication Are More Likely to Use Prenatal and Postnatal Services in Bangladesh: Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.10645 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Shangfeng Tang ◽

Bishwajit Ghose ◽

Md Rakibul Hoque ◽

Gang Hao ◽

Sanni Yaya

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Maternal Health ◽

Health Services ◽

Mobile Phone ◽

Mobile Phones ◽

Health Care Services ◽

Maternal Health Care ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mobile Phone Use ◽

Delivery Services

BACKGROUND The public health system in Bangladesh has been struggling to provide coverage and utilization of basic maternal health care services in pursuit of achieving maternal and child mortality-related goals. Interestingly, the rapid popularization of mobile technology in the country is transforming the landscape of health care access and delivery. However, little is known regarding the use of mobile phones from the perspective of maternal health care service utilization. OBJECTIVE In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and sociodemographic pattern of mobile phone use for health services among women and relationship between the use of mobile phone use and the uptake of essential maternal health services (MHSs). METHODS Cross-sectional data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey on 4494 mothers aged between 15 and 39 years were used in the analysis. Using mobile phones to get health services or advice was hypothesized to have a positive association with the uptake of basic MHSs (antenatal care, ANC, facility delivery services, postnatal care) and postnatal care for the newborn. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariable techniques. RESULTS More than a quarter (1276/4494, 28.4%; 95% CI 26.8-30.3) of the women aged 15-39 years reported using mobile phones to get health services with significant sociodemographic variations in the use of mobile phones. Analysis of the specific purposes revealed that, in most cases, mobile phones were used to contact service providers and consult with the same about what to do, whereas a smaller proportion reported using mobile phone for the purposes of arranging money and transportation. Multivariable analysis showed that compared with respondents who reported not using mobile phones for health care services, those who used them had higher odds of making 3+ ANC visits and delivering at a health facility. The odds were slightly higher for rural residents than for those in the urban areas. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study conclude that women who use mobile phones are more likely to use ANC and professional delivery services than those who do not. More in-depth studies are necessary to understand the mechanism through which mobile phone-based services enhance the uptake of maternal health care.

Download Full-text

Mobile Phone Dependency and Effect on the Academic Lifestyle of Female Students at a University: A Case Study of a University of Technology

Commonwealth Youth and Development ◽

10.25159/2663-6549/6908 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Josephat Muntangadura ◽

Barbra Mazarire

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Mobile Phone ◽

Mobile Phones ◽

Female Students ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mobile Phone Use ◽

University Of Technology ◽

Mobile Phone Usage

Mobile phones are now being used by all members of society, men, women and the children. When members of society use them it affects their lives, thus the research is interested in exploring how mobile phone usage affects the lifestyles of female university students. The study explored the dependency and effect of mobile phone usage among female students at a university of technology. A cross-sectional survey was carried at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Soshanguve South campus. The study focused on the following objectives: exploring the classification of female university students who own cell phones, establishing the general phenomena influencing the use of mobile phones by female university students at a university of technology and perceived gratification and finally establishing the patterns of mobile phone use by female students and the lifestyle patterns generated thereafter. The study collected data from 100 female students at the institution using a survey. The findings indicated that the main reasons female university students at TUT use a mobile phone are for socialising, sharing academic work and solutions as well as for safety and privacy purposes. The major reason for choice of brand was seen to be usability and price. The respondents showed some signs of addiction to their mobile phones. The findings of this study are beneficial to marketers of mobile phones in Pretoria and the rest of the country; it is also useful to mobile phone developers, universities, parents, and researchers exploring mobile phone adoption and usage pattern in a developing country such as South Africa.

Download Full-text

A study on the mobile phone usage pattern and its dependence among medical students of a college in Kerala, India

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences ◽

10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20173573 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (8) ◽

pp. 3615 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shiny George ◽

Namitha Saif ◽

Biju Baby Joseph

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Mobile Phone ◽

Mobile Phones ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

P Value ◽

Young Generation ◽

Usage Pattern ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mobile Phone Usage

Background: Mobile phones have become an essential part of life. It has become an important accessory carried by everybody not only because they make it easy to keep in touch with people but because of the various facilities they offer especially the internet. The charm of mobile phone is more among young generation and the increasing use may result in dependence. Aim was to study the usage pattern and dependence of mobile phones among medical students.Methods: A cross sectional study conducted among 200 medical students and studied the pattern of usage of mobile phones, common problems encountered and its dependence using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis done using chi square test and a p value of <0.05 is taken as significant.Results: In the present study 35% of the students were frequent users that is they used for >30 minutes per day. Female students were talking more to their parents and male students to their friends followed by their lovers. 49 of them never used to attend the call while driving and 58 of them used to stop the vehicle and attend the call. (p=0.002) Mobile phone dependence was also found to be increased which is evident from ringxiety experienced by 68 students (34%) and waking up from sleep to check the mobile for call or message by 62 students(p=0.000). Out of 68 students with ringxiety, 69% were males and 37% were females (p=0.040). 82 participants (41%) commented that life without mobile will be boring and 50 (25%) said that they will feel alone or unsafe (p=0.001).Conclusions: As dependence is increasing with the excessive use of mobile phones, some interventions are required to motivate the youth against it.

Download Full-text

Frequency of wrist pain and its associated risk factors in students using mobile phones

Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.12669/pjms.36.4.1797 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Fatima Amjad ◽

Muhammad Nazim Farooq ◽

Rubia Batool ◽

Anam Irshad

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Mobile Phone ◽

Mobile Phones ◽

Wrist Joint ◽

Wrist Pain ◽

Screen Size ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mobile Phone Usage ◽

Associated Risk Factors

Objective: To assess the frequency of wrist pain in students due to mobile phone usage, and impact of usage hours and screen size of mobile phones on pain and disability at wrist joint. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among students studying in different universities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi belonging to both public and private sectors. The study was conducted between May 2018 and March 2019. Sample size was 360 students which were selected through convenience sampling. Data was collected through self-formulated closed ended questionnaire. Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation questionnaire was used to assess pain and disability at wrist joint. Data entry and analysis were done using SPSS 21. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Spearman’s and point-biserial correlation coefficients were applied to determine association between different variables. Results: Point, last month, last 3 months, last 6 months, last year and lifetime frequency were found to be 9%, 18.6%, 29%, 33.3%, 42% and 45.3% respectively. Duration of mobile phone usage was found to be of significant association factor that could lead to wrist pain and disability (p=0.004). Wrist pain was not significantly related to mobile phone screen size (p = 0.488). Conclusion: It appears that wrist pain is common among mobile phone users and an increase in use of mobile phones increased pain and disability of wrist joint. In addition, it seems that screen size of mobile phone has no significant effect on pain and disability of wrist joint. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.4.1797 How to cite this:Amjad F, Farooq MN, Batool R, Irshad A. Frequency of wrist pain and its associated risk factors in students using mobile phones. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(4):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.4.1797 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Download Full-text

Mobile Phone Dependence among Undergraduate Students of a Medical College of Eastern Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Journal of Nepal Medical Association ◽

10.31729/jnma.4787 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 58 (224) ◽

Author(s):

Kriti Thapa ◽

Sami Lama ◽

Rita Pokharel ◽

Rambha Sigdel ◽

Surya Prasad Rimal

Keyword(s):

Mobile Phone ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Mobile Phones ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical College ◽

Mobile Phone Addiction ◽

Mobile Phone Usage ◽

One Year

Introduction: Mobile phones are becoming increasingly indispensable in daily life of the studentswhich has resulted in mobile phone dependence. The objective of the study was to find the prevalenceof mobile phone dependence among undergraduate students of a medical college of Eastern Nepal. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2016 to March 2017on a total of 390 undergraduate students aged between 17 and 25 years using stratified samplingtechnique. Students using mobile phones for more than one year was included in the study. Studentswere requested to complete a pretested self-administered questionnaire which comprised theirsocio-demographic characteristics, pattern of mobile phone usage and mobile phone addiction indexdeveloped by Leung. Results: The prevalence of mobile phone dependence among the undergraduate students was foundto be 85 (21.8%). Mobile phone dependence was found to be related with time spend on mobile; callsper day, money spend on recharge per month and years of ownership of mobile phone. There wasno difference between males and females with regard to mobile phone dependence. Conclusions: The present study found that mobile phone dependence was common among theundergraduate medical students. These results suggest the need to develop educational programmeto educate the students to use mobile phone meaningfully.

Download Full-text

Relationships Between the Usage of Televisions, Computers, and Mobile Phones and the Quality of Sleep in a Chinese Population: Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Medical Internet Research ◽

10.2196/18095 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (7) ◽

pp. e18095

Author(s):

Yao Jie Xie ◽

Daphne SK Cheung ◽

Alice Y Loke ◽

Bernice L Nogueira ◽

Karry M Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sleep Quality ◽

Mobile Phone ◽

Mobile Phones ◽

Chinese Population ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Computer Usage ◽

Tv Viewing ◽

Community Based ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mobile Phone Usage

Background No study has comprehensively investigated the association between the usage of typical screen-based electronic media devices and sleep quality in a Chinese population with individuals in a wide range of ages. Objective This study aimed to understand the characteristics of television (TV) viewing, computer usage, and mobile phone usage in a representative Chinese population in Macau and to examine their roles in predicting the variations in sleep quality. Methods This cross-sectional study was an analysis of 1500 Macau residents aged 15 to 90 years based on a community-based health needs assessment study entitled, “Healthy Living, Longer Lives.” Data collection was conducted in 7 districts of Macau from 2017 to 2018 through face-to-face interviews. The durations of daily TV viewing, computer usage, and mobile phone usage were recorded in a self-administered questionnaire. The Chinese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess the sleep quality. Results The prevalence of TV, computer, and mobile phone usage was 78.4% (1176/1500), 51.6% (769/1490), and 85.5% (1276/1492), respectively. The average daily hours of usage were 1.75 (1.62), 1.53 (2.26), and 2.85 (2.47) hours, respectively. Females spent more time watching TV (P=.03) and using mobile phones (P=.02) and less time on the computer (P=.04) as compared to males. Older adults were more likely to watch TV while young people spent more time using the computer and mobile phones (P for all trends<.001). The mean PSQI global score was 4.79 (2.80) among the participants. Females exhibited significantly higher PSQI scores than males (5.04 vs 4.49, respectively; P<.001). No linear association was observed between the PSQI score and the amount of time spent on the 3 electronic devices (P=.58 for PSQI-TV, P=.05 for PSQI-computer, and P=.52 for PSQI-mobile phone). Curve estimation showed significant quadratic curvilinear associations in PSQI-TV (P=.003) and PSQI-computer (P<.001) among all the participants and in PSQI-mobile phone among youths (age, 15-24 years; P=.04). After adjustment of the gender, age, body mass index, demographics, and lifestyle factors, more than 3 hours of TV viewing and 4 hours of computer usage or mobile phone usage was associated with 85% (95% CI 1.04-1.87; P=.008), 72% (95% CI 1.01-2.92; P=.045), and 53% (95% CI 1.06-2.22; P=.03) greater odds of having poor sleep quality (PSQI score>5), respectively. Conclusions The mobile phone was the most popular screen-based electronic device used in the Macau population, especially among young people. “J” shape associations were observed between sleep quality and the duration of TV viewing, computer usage, and mobile phone usage, indicating that the extreme use of screen-based electronic devices predicted poorer sleep status, whereas moderate use would be acceptable.

Download Full-text

Pattern of Mobile Phone Use among Students of An Institution

Journal of Nepal Medical Association ◽

10.31729/jnma.3442 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 56 (209) ◽

pp. 522-526 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kriti Thapa ◽

Rita Pokharel ◽

Rambha Sigdel ◽

Surya Prasad Rimal

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Mobile Phone ◽

Mobile Phones ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Simple Random Sampling ◽

Young Generation ◽

Major Purpose ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Mobile Phone Use ◽

Mobile Phone Usage

Introduction: The charm of mobile phone is more among young generation and the increasing use can lead to various harmful effects and may result in dependence. The objective of the study is to evaluate the pattern of mobile phone use among medical students. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on a total of 229 medical students aged between 18 and 25 years who were using mobile phones for more than 1 year by using simple random sampling technique. Students were requested to complete a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire which comprised their socio-demographic characteristics and pattern of mobile phone usage. Results: Among the total 229 students, all of them had their own smart phones. Major purpose of using mobile was for calling, listening music, taking photos/videos and internet use. Most of the students 97 (42.4%) have owned mobile phones since 4-6 years. The median time spent by the students on the mobile phone using different features of mobile phone was 3.5 hours. Majority of the students i.e. 157 (68.5%) use mobile phones at night. The median amount of money spent on recharge per month was 500. Age of student was significantly (P <0.05) associated with calls per day. There was no significant association of pattern of mobile phone use with other selected socio-demographic variables Conclusions: Students were found to use mobile phone excessively. The pattern of mobile phone usage among the students in this study may signal the evolution of mobile phone use from a habit to an addiction.

Download Full-text

Study of the effect of mobile phones on hearing

International Journal of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery ◽

10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20210688 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 520

Author(s):

Karumuthil Swaroop ◽

Sanjay Kumar ◽

Anshul Bansal ◽

Pushkar Khare ◽

Deepak V. Chauhan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mobile Phone ◽

Mobile Phones ◽

Systemic Disease ◽

Hearing Threshold ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Inner Ear Disease ◽

Mobile Phone Usage ◽

Mobile Phone Radiation

Background: The effect of mobile phone radiation on human health is the subject of recent interest and study as a result of the enormous increase in mobile phone usage throughout the world. The present study was designed with an objective to study the effect of mobile phones on hearing.Methods: This cross sectional study involved cases in the age group of 18 to 45 years attending the out-patient department of ENT at Chhatrapati Shivaji Subharti hospital, Meerut. A total of 85 patients (mobile phone users) were taken for the study October 2018 to July 2020. Subjects with usage of mobile phones (smart phones) for a minimum of 2 hours a day and a minimum of 1 year duration (with or without ear phones), normal healthy individuals with no systemic disease, normal tympanic membrane with no prior external, middle/inner ear disease or discharge or trauma and subjects with type a tympanogram (on tympanometry) were included in the study. Degree of deafness was graded according to WHO classification, 1980Results: Statistically significant p value was observed (<0.001) while comparing SNHL with hours of exposure and years of exposure. Statistically significant p value was observed (<0.05) while comparing hours of exposure with Tinnitus. Statistically insignificant p value was observed while comparing hours and years of exposure with other associated complaints; aural fullness, ear ache (otalgia) and warmth sensation in ear.Conclusions: The present study shows an increase in the hearing threshold of the ear exposed to the prolonged use of mobile phones.

Download Full-text

The association of smart mobile phone usage with cognitive function impairment in Saudi adult population

Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.12669/pjms.36.7.2826 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (7) ◽

Author(s):

Thamir M. Al-Khlaiwi ◽

Syed Shahid Habib ◽

Sultan Ayoub Meo ◽

Mohammed Saeed Alqhtani ◽

Abeer A. Ogailan

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Function ◽

Mobile Phone ◽

Mobile Phones ◽

Adult Population ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Function Impairment ◽

Mobile Phone Usage ◽

Smart Mobile Phone ◽

Smart Mobile ◽

Moca Score

Background & Objectives: Excessive use of mobile phones has raised a great concern about adverse health effects on human health. The present study’s aim was to investigate the association of the usage of smartphones with cognitive function impairment in the Saudi adult population. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during September 2019 to January 2020. A total of 251 Saudi adults who were using mobile phones were recruited, and knowledge, attitude and practices were assessed by interview using a predesigned proforma. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) tool was employed to assess the cognitive functions, comparison was made between daily mobile phone usage group and their correlated Montreal Cognitive Score (MOCA). Results: The mean age for 251 Saudi adult participants was 32.43±12.8 years. More than 80% of the participants used their mobile phone for more than two hours daily. About 61% of the participants were not aware of the side effect of the radiation generated from mobile phone. The participants showed a decrease in MOCA score with increased daily mobile phone usage (MOCA=26.8 for <1 hour daily usage, 26.1 for 1-2 hours, and 24.6 for >2 hours with P< 0.05). In addition, participants showed decreased MOCA score by keeping their mobile phone near their pillow while sleeping; MOCA=24.35 for near pillow groups and >25.5 for the groups that placed their mobile phone away from the pillow. Conclusions: Excessive use of mobile phones can cause cognitive function impairment. Strict policies must be implemented to control the use of smartphones in order to minimize the effects on mobile phone radiation on cognition. The media has to be on the forefront in educating the public about the proper usage of mobile phones. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.7.2826 How to cite this:Al-khlaiwi TM, Habib SS, Meo SA, Alqhtani MS, Ogailan AA. The association of smart mobile phone usage with cognitive function impairment in Saudi adult population. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(7):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.7.2826 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Download Full-text