Assessing the Impact of Screen Time on Physical and Mental Health in Medical Students in Pune - A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: There has been a substantial increase in the medical students' screen time, especially after COVID, due to digital education. Even though digital devices and apps are essential for various purposes, such as academic work and access to information, they can harm both physically and mentally. Despite the rising awareness indian medical students still have limited acceptance of the potential danger. In addition to academic use, students frequently engage in entertainment activities such as social media use and binge-watching, thereby increasing their screen time and the associated negative health effects. Aim & Objective: To estimate the time MBBS students at Dr D Y Patil Medical College in Pune spend on screens and to examine its impact on their mental and physical health. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Methods and Material: A total of 174 Participants were selected through convenience sampling, and a semi-structured Google Forms survey comprising 20 items was used Data were collected using a self-designed questionnaire that was pilot-tested and revised. After expert validation it was used. Statistical analysis used:  Categorical data was collected and presented in table format. Descriptive statistics was presented in number and percentages. Analysis was performed using Epi Info version 7.2.7. Results: 77% of participants (n = 134) reported using screens for four to six hours per day, while 19% (n = 33) reported screen use exceeding six hours daily. The most commonly reported physical complaints included eye strain (30.8%, n = 54), headaches (20.6%, n = 36), neck discomfort (19.8%, n = 34), and back pain (13%, n = 23). Most commonly reported mental complaint included anxiety, which was reported by 21.6%(n=38), followed by irritation, 19.4%(n=34). Interestingly, more than half of the participants reported increased screen use (51.7%; n=90), which led to reduced physical activity. Conclusions: Thus, the study shows a very strong association between prolonged screen time and several health problems among medical students. Thus, awareness and preventive measures are urgently needed, given the increasing dependence on digital platforms.