MOBILE PHONES: A THREAT TO HEALTH OF YOUNG GENERATION?

Sana Sarfaraz*, Tanveer Bano, Wajeeha Fatima, Saima Ramzan, Ayesha Sabir, Soofia Irfan

ABSTRACT

Background: With advancement in technology, the use of mobile phones have become a very essential part of teenagers life. But excessive use of anything can lead to harmful effects. Mobile phones emit radiation for which when exposed to prolonged period of time can lead to various disease conditions as well as generalized body aches and decreased cognitive behavior. Objective: The current study was conducted to evaluate the use of mobile phone in teenagers, musculoskeletal, hearing and eye problems developing in teenagers due to its use and overall impact of mobile phones in their lives. Methodology: It is survey based study carried on young generation N= 200 age 16-20 years both male and female from different colleges and universities in Karachi. The survey consisted of 10 questions the answers were recorded as open ended. Result: From our data we found that 88.5% younger generation possess mobile phones so its use is very common. Head and neck pain was reported in 52% teenagers while there was also trend of generalized body (20.5%) and eye pain (7%). Hearing (36.5%) and concentrating problems (71%) were also reported. Younger generation is so addicted to phone that trend of sleeping with phone in hand or above head (43.5%) was also very common. Conclusion: Mobile phones which are considered a necessity in our daily life are being abusively used by teenage generation. The increased trend of constant messaging, facebook, wats app has led to addiction to cell phone in teenagers. There has also been increase complains of musculoskeletal and hearing problems in those who use cell phone excessively with hand free. Mobile phone which was invented for communication should be used properly or else our younger generation will face dire consequences.

Keywords: Mobile phone, Musculoskeletal , hearing, Young generation.