Awareness of mobile phone hazards among university students in a Malaysian medical school

Abstract

This paper seeks to examine the awareness of potential health hazards by using mobile phone among AIMST (Asian Institute of Medical science and technology) University students. This is a cross-sectional survey conducted by distributing ‘perception questionnaire’. Perception of health hazards and outcomes were compared by gender, age, course of study, preferred ear, number of calls and SMS daily, the brand of mobile phone and use of mobile phone accessory (Bluetooth and hands free). The overall perception of mobile phone hazard in AIMST university student was 62%.Most subjects agreed that mobile phone usage can cause headache, loss of mental attention and sleeping disturbances and most disagree that mobile phone usage can cause constipation and diarrhea. Out of the 124 subjects who were aware of the side effects, 5% of the males and 10% of the females felt that there was no need to minimize the unwanted effects. The paper is useful to the general population particularly to the students as the perceived health risk did not significantly deter students from using mobile phone. The reasons given by students for the continued usage of mobile phone in spite of their awareness of the associated hazards have been discussed. This study offers new insight into level of awareness and perception of mobile phone hazard among University students.