The Relationship of Neck pain and Smart Phones Usage among students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Erbil City

Abstract

Background and objectives: Innovative technology devices, such as smartphones and tablets can do numerous activities that users need daily. Mishandling of this technology has an impact on utilizers health. The aim of this study was to find the prevalence of neck pain induced by smart phones usage among students of medical faculty in Erbil city. Methods: A cross-sectional study on 400 students from Hawler Medical University was conducted from 1st July 2021 till 1st July 2022.The investigator designed a self-administered questionnaire, distributed it to the students. Investigator inquired about participants sociodemographic characteristics, purpose and hours of using phones, hand dominance, how to enter data, frequent position while using the phone.Whether other devices are applied for study, neck pain and its severity ,pain relief medications and the usual exercise routine of the respondents. Results: More than two third of the studied sample (63.5%) had neck pain, and (36.5%) were free from pain during smartphone use in last 12 months. The mean severity of pain was higher in females than in males (4.54 ±1.53 vs 3.28 ± 1.31) and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.003). Overusing phones for more than 4hours per day was 78%, and only 22% underused the smartphone (less than and equal to four hours). Conclusion: Prevalence of neck pain related to phone use among medical faculty students in Erbil city was high. Most of them were overusing smartphones