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Mohani MR, Phansopkar P, Seth NH, Fokmare PS. The Prevalence of Nomophobia in Medical Undergraduate Students of Central India. Cureus 2024; 16:e57056. [PMID: 38681298 PMCID: PMC11051670 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Nomophobia is an emerging phobia resulting from people's excessive interaction with mobile phones. This phobia is rapidly increasing due to significant technological innovations and widespread acceptance and usage of mobile phones worldwide. Nomophobia is often associated with complications such as panic attacks, irritability, and anxiety. Smartphone usage is particularly high among the younger population, raising concerns as it generates distress and leads to various problems. This study aims to determine the prevalence of nomophobia among undergraduates. Method The study utilized the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q) with a minimum sample size of 136. A total of 300 Google Forms (Google, Mountain View, California) were circulated, out of which 172 responses were received. A Google Form comprising 20 questions related to smartphone use and nomophobia was designed and distributed to all undergraduate students, who were requested to complete the form. The data based on their responses were subsequently analyzed. Results In this study, approximately 31.40% of students disagreed with experiencing panic when running out of credits or hitting monthly data limits. Additionally, 24.42% of students agreed that not having smartphones made them worried, as their family and friends could not contact them. About 16.86% of students strongly disagreed with feeling uneasy because they could not stay updated without their phones. Furthermore, 16.28% strongly agreed that they felt anxious due to the inability to contact their family and friends when not having smartphones. Conclusion It can be concluded from this study that nomophobia is present among undergraduate students. The overall usage of smartphones has increased in this population, highlighting the emergence of a serious disorder that warrants attention. Consequently, the usage of smartphones should be reduced through structured training programs, as this proves to be an effective method for enhancing undergraduates' understanding of the prevention and treatment of nomophobia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahek R Mohani
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Pratik Phansopkar
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Nikita H Seth
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Pranali S Fokmare
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
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Antoniou T, Pajer K, Gardner W, Penner M, Lunsky Y, Tadrous M, Mamdani M, Gozdyra P, Juurlink DN, Gomes T. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antidepressant and antipsychotic use among children and adolescents: a population-based study. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1282845. [PMID: 38146536 PMCID: PMC10749316 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1282845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increases in the prevalence of depression, anxiety and behavioural problems among children and youth. Less well understood is the influence of the pandemic on antidepressant and antipsychotic use among children. This is important, as it is possible that antidepressants and antipsychotics were used as a "stop-gap" measure to treat mental health symptoms when in-person access to outpatient care and school-based supportive services was disrupted. Furthermore, antipsychotics and antidepressants have been associated with harm in children and youth. We examined trends in dispensing of these medications two years following the pandemic among children 18 years of age and under in Ontario, Canada. Methods We conducted a population-based time-series study of antidepressant and antipsychotic medication dispensing to children and adolescents ≤18 years old between September 1, 2014, and March 31, 2022. We measured monthly population-adjusted rates of antidepressant and antipsychotics obtained from the IQVIA Geographic Prescription Monitor (GPM) database. We used structural break analyses to identify the pandemic month(s) when changes in the dispensing of antidepressants and antipsychotics occurred. We used interrupted time series models to quantify changes in dispensing following the structural break and compare observed and expected use of these drugs. Results Overall, we found higher-than-expected dispensing of antidepressants and antipsychotics in children and youth. Specifically, we observed an immediate step decrease in antidepressant dispensing associated with a structural break in April 2020 (-55.8 units per 1,000 individuals; 95% confidence intervals [CI] CI: -117.4 to 5.8), followed by an increased monthly trend in the rate of antidepressant dispensing of 13.0 units per 1,000 individuals (95% CI: 10.2-15.9). Antidepressant dispensing was consistently greater than predicted from September 2020 onward. Antipsychotic dispensing increased immediately following a June 2020 structural break (26.4 units per 1,000 individuals; 95% CI: 15.8-36.9) and did not change appreciably thereafter. Antipsychotic dispensing was higher than predicted at all time points from June 2020 onward. Conclusion We found higher-than-expected dispensing of antidepressants and antipsychotics in children and youth. These increases were sustained through nearly two years of observation and are especially concerning in light of the potential for harm with the long-term use of antipsychotics in children. Further research is required to understand the clinical implications of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tony Antoniou
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kathleen Pajer
- Mental Health Program, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - William Gardner
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Melanie Penner
- Autism Research Centre, Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, Canada
| | - Yona Lunsky
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mina Tadrous
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Muhammad Mamdani
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Li Ka Shing Centre for Healthcare Analytics Research & Training, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - David N. Juurlink
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tara Gomes
- Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Seo Y, Youn HS. Comparison of Korean School Students' Safety Accident Rates before and after COVID-19. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2326. [PMID: 37628523 PMCID: PMC10454128 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11162326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected various aspects of education, including the occurrence of injuries among Korean students. This study aims to analyze and compare injury rates in elementary, middle, and high schools before and after the pandemic and identify the associated factors. A non-experimental quantitative dataset compiled from the Korea School Safety Association's annual reports (2018-2022) was utilized. The data included information on school safety accidents among Korean children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The dataset was analyzed based on factors such as time, location, type of accident, and injured body part. The findings revealed a decline in accidents during the early phase of the pandemic, followed by an increase after schools reopened. There were notable variations in the accidents in specific locations, types, and body parts affected during the pandemic, compared with the pre-pandemic period. This study highlights the importance of continuous monitoring, implementation of safety measures, and prioritization of physical activity programs and safety education to ensure a safe learning environment. Further research is recommended to track and address evolving school accidents in response to the pandemic and its aftermath.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongsuk Seo
- Sports AIX Graduate Program, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hyun-Su Youn
- Department of Physical Education, College of Education, WonKwang University, Iksan-si 54538, Republic of Korea
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Madigan S, Racine N, Vaillancourt T, Korczak DJ, Hewitt JMA, Pador P, Park JL, McArthur BA, Holy C, Neville RD. Changes in Depression and Anxiety Among Children and Adolescents From Before to During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatr 2023; 177:567-581. [PMID: 37126337 PMCID: PMC10152379 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.0846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Importance There is a growing body of high-quality cohort-based research that has examined changes in child and adolescent mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic vs before the pandemic. Some studies have found that child and adolescent depression and anxiety symptoms have increased, while others have found these symptoms to have remained stable or decreased. Objective To synthesize the available longitudinal cohort-based research evidence to estimate the direction and magnitude of changes in depression and anxiety symptoms in children and adolescents assessed before and during the pandemic. Data Sources Medline, Embase, and PsycInfo were searched for studies published between January 1, 2020, and May 17, 2022. Study Selection Included studies reported on depression and/or anxiety symptoms, had cohort data comparing prepandemic to pandemic estimates, included a sample of children and/or adolescents younger than 19 years, and were published in English in a peer-reviewed journal. Data Extraction and Synthesis In total, 53 longitudinal cohort studies from 12 countries with 87 study estimates representing 40 807 children and adolescents were included. Main Outcomes and Measures Standardized mean changes (SMC) in depression and anxiety symptoms from before to during the pandemic. Results The analysis included 40 807 children and adolescents represented in pre-COVID-19 studies and 33 682 represented in during-COVID-19 studies. There was good evidence of an increase in depression symptoms (SMC, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.33). Changes in depression symptoms were most conclusive for study estimates among female individuals (SMC, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.21 to 0.42), study estimates with mid to high income (SMC, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.63), and study estimates sourced from North America (SMC, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.36) and Europe (SMC, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.53). There was strong evidence that anxiety symptoms increased slightly during the pandemic (SMC, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.16), and there was some evidence of an increase in study estimates with mid to high income. Conclusions This systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies including children and adolescents found an increase in depression symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among female individuals and those from relatively higher-income backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheri Madigan
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nicole Racine
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tracy Vaillancourt
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daphne J. Korczak
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Jackson M. A. Hewitt
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Paolo Pador
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Joanne L. Park
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Brae Anne McArthur
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Celeste Holy
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ross D. Neville
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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