Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy-An International Journal

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Prevalence of Subjective Symptoms in Mobile Users Aged More than 18 Years in Nagpur


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1 VSPM College of Physiotherapy, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
     

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Background: The use of hand held cellular phones has been on increase with more & more individuals using cell phones because of convenience they offer the other modes of telecommunication (1,2). During the mid 90's many people experienced the symptoms while using mobile phones both in Sweden & Norway & the same cannot be ruled out in our country (3). Mobile phones consequently causes biological effects should be considered as a high priority environmental health issue.More over scanty literature is available on symptoms caused with use of cell phones with statistical significance in India. Hence this study was undertaken

Aim: To study the prevalence of subjective symptoms in mobile users aged more than 18 years in Nagpur.

Material and Method: A present cross sectional study was carried out to estimate the subjective symptoms caused due to use of mobile phones in rural institution. Subjects using mobile phones on regular basis and were complaining of at least one symptom listed in the questionnaire were included. In the pilot study the prevalence of one symptom in mobile users was 85 %. Considering this, samples size estimated was 98. However, total 100 samples were studied. Both males & females of age group of 18-54 were interviewed with the questionnaire which wereself reportedbased on demographic data, psychosocial index, exposure parameters and symptoms. .

Results: Morbidity pattern., Co relational analysis: a) Psychosocial index Vs no. of symptoms. b) Calling time Vs no. of symptoms. c) VDT Vs no. of symptoms. d) Calling time Vs Tightness of muscles.was analyzed with 2 test&the level of significance was fixed at p < 0.05 Subjects were with mean age of 26.78 ±10.3946 and the male to female ratio was 9:11. Morbidity pattern found was concentration problems was the problem faced was maximum with 52% and the least was burning sensation 2%. 53 % of subjects reported with more than or equal to 2 symptoms .irrespective of the calling time the subjects were suffering from the symptoms.

Conclusions: It can thus be concluded that prevalence of symptoms are quite higher with the use of mobile phones. It also stresses the fact that if these problems are not taken care at the earliest then health related problems related to mobile are of great concern in the coming years. The passive effects of mobile phone use within given radius & circumference could help in understanding the real effects caused due to mobile radiations.


Keywords

Subjective Symptoms, Prevalence, Mobile
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  • Prevalence of Subjective Symptoms in Mobile Users Aged More than 18 Years in Nagpur

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Authors

Praveen Kumar
VSPM College of Physiotherapy, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
Kapil Dongre
VSPM College of Physiotherapy, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
Gunjan Ghai
VSPM College of Physiotherapy, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

Abstract


Background: The use of hand held cellular phones has been on increase with more & more individuals using cell phones because of convenience they offer the other modes of telecommunication (1,2). During the mid 90's many people experienced the symptoms while using mobile phones both in Sweden & Norway & the same cannot be ruled out in our country (3). Mobile phones consequently causes biological effects should be considered as a high priority environmental health issue.More over scanty literature is available on symptoms caused with use of cell phones with statistical significance in India. Hence this study was undertaken

Aim: To study the prevalence of subjective symptoms in mobile users aged more than 18 years in Nagpur.

Material and Method: A present cross sectional study was carried out to estimate the subjective symptoms caused due to use of mobile phones in rural institution. Subjects using mobile phones on regular basis and were complaining of at least one symptom listed in the questionnaire were included. In the pilot study the prevalence of one symptom in mobile users was 85 %. Considering this, samples size estimated was 98. However, total 100 samples were studied. Both males & females of age group of 18-54 were interviewed with the questionnaire which wereself reportedbased on demographic data, psychosocial index, exposure parameters and symptoms. .

Results: Morbidity pattern., Co relational analysis: a) Psychosocial index Vs no. of symptoms. b) Calling time Vs no. of symptoms. c) VDT Vs no. of symptoms. d) Calling time Vs Tightness of muscles.was analyzed with 2 test&the level of significance was fixed at p < 0.05 Subjects were with mean age of 26.78 ±10.3946 and the male to female ratio was 9:11. Morbidity pattern found was concentration problems was the problem faced was maximum with 52% and the least was burning sensation 2%. 53 % of subjects reported with more than or equal to 2 symptoms .irrespective of the calling time the subjects were suffering from the symptoms.

Conclusions: It can thus be concluded that prevalence of symptoms are quite higher with the use of mobile phones. It also stresses the fact that if these problems are not taken care at the earliest then health related problems related to mobile are of great concern in the coming years. The passive effects of mobile phone use within given radius & circumference could help in understanding the real effects caused due to mobile radiations.


Keywords


Subjective Symptoms, Prevalence, Mobile

References