Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy-An International Journal

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

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


Affiliations
1 VSPM College of Physiotherapy, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


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
Subscription Login to verify subscription
User
Notifications
Font Size


  • Sin-Eng Chia, hwee-Pin Chia &Jit- SengPrevalence of headache among handheld cellular telephone users in Singapore: a community study Environ Health Perspect. 2000 November; 108(11): 1059–1062

  • PinskiSL ,Trohman RG intrference in implanted cardiac devices , part 1.Pacing clinelectrophysiol 2002;-25:1367-85 Interference by cellular phones with permanent implanted pace makers; an update.

  • M.Sandstorm, J. Wilen, G oftedal& K. Hansson Mild Mobile phone use & subjective symptoms comparison of symptoms experienced by users of analogue & digital mobile phones. Occup. Med vol .51 No.1,pp.25-35,2001.

  • Glassbrenner, D driver Cell phone use in 2004, overall results .Washington D.C: Us national highway safety administration 2005(DOT HS – 809-847).

  • Horberry T Bubinch C Hartlyek l, Lamble D Drivers use hand held mobile phones in western Australia. Transportation research Part F; 213-218.

  • Johal S nappier F, Britt-Compton J, Marshall TMobile phone use & driving Public health Oxford 2005;27;112-3.

  • Talor DHD BennetDM,Carter M Garewal DMobile phone use among Melbourne drivers. a preventable exposure to injury risk. Med J Aust 2003; 179:140-142.

  • Royal D National survey of distracted & drowsy driving attitudes & behavior; 2002vol 1.Washington D.C: Us national highway safety administration 2005(DOT HS –809-566).

  • Sullman MJM BS PHMobile phone use among New Zealand driver. Transportationresearch Part F 2004;7;95-105.

  • Laberrgo-Nadeeq C, Maqq U Belle Vance F, MessierS et al Wireless telephones & the risk road crashes.Accid Aral Prev2003;35;649-60.

  • M.Sandstorm, J. Wilen , G Oftedal& K. Hansson MildSymptoms in connection with mobile phone use.Occup Med (Lond) 2000, 50:237-245.

  • BoorbelyAA,Huber R, Graf J ,Fuchs B Gall man E Pulled high frequency electromagnetic field affects human sleep & sleep electroencephalogram. Neuroscilett 1999,275: 207-210.

  • Preece AW, Lwi G, Davis –Smith AEffect of 915- Mhz simulated mobile phone signal on cognitive function in man. Int J Rdiat boil 1995,75:447-456.

  • Anusheelmunshi,Rakeshjalali.Cellular Phones and their hazards : The current evidence.National Medical Journal of India ;Vol 15,No.5;275-7

  • Chia S E,Chia H P.Tan J S . Prevalence of headache among handheld cellular telephone users in Singapore: A community study.Environ Health Perspect 2000 ; 108 ; 1059–62

  • Hoking B. Preliminory report: Symptoms associated with Mobile phone use.Occup. Med 1998;48;357-360.

  • Baranski s, Czerski P Biological effects of microwaves.PA; 1976.

  • Marha k, Musil J Tuha HElectromagnetic fields & the life Enviornment. San Francisco press 1971.

  • WHO Geneva 1993Environmental health criteria, Vol137.

  • Hamblin DL,Wood AW, Croft RJ ,Stough C Examining the effects of electromagnetic fields emitted by GSM mobile phones on human event related potentials & performance during an auditory task. ClinNeurophysiol 2004,115; 171-178.

  • Frey AH Headaches from cellular phones: are they real? What are their implications? Environmental health perspective 106; 101-103(1998).

  • Fritz K, Sommer C, Schmith BEffect of global system for mobile communication (GSM) microwave exposure on blood-brain barrier permeability in rat.ActaNeuropathol (beri)1997,94:465-470.

  • Haraala C, Aalto S, Hautzel H, Laine M ,Krause B Effect of 902-Mhz mobile phone signal on cerebral blood flow in humans: aPET study. Neuro report 2003, 14; 2019-2023.


Abstract Views: 485

PDF Views: 0




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

Abstract Views: 485  |  PDF Views: 0

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