Introduction
Nomophobia(1) literally means no mobile phobia that is the fear of being out of mobile
phone contact. If a person is in an area of no network, has run out of balance or
even worse run out of battery, the persons gets anxious, which adversely affects the
concentration level of the person. In recent times there seems to have been a transformation
of the cell phone from a status symbol to a necessity because of the countless perks
that a mobile phone provides like personal diary, email dispatcher, calculator, video
game player, camera and music player.(2) Indian market has emerged as the second-largest
market after China for mobile phone handsets. Our study was undertaken to find out
the prevalence of nomophobia in the Indian scenario considering the tremendous increase
in the number of mobile phone users in the past decade. We decided to conduct the
study in our college since the younger generation is the latest consumer of the mobile
phones, and the under 25 year age group in professional colleges like medical colleges
use mobile phones quite frequently since most of them reside in hostels. Day scholar
students too want to be in constant touch with their family members and friends since
they are out of their homes for the whole day and at nights while studying in colleges
and working in hospitals.
Materials and Methods
The present study was a cross-sectional study conducted amongst 200 M.B.B.S. students
from M.G.M. Medical College, Indore. Initially, students from different batches and
those pursuing internship, both day scholars and hostlers, using mobile phone for
more than one-year duration for at least 1-2 h per day were included for the study.
Six hundred students of the college met the above inclusion criteria of which every
third student was selected by systematic random sampling. A pre-designed and pre-tested
questionnaire(3) designed on the lines of one developed by Dr. Marcus L. Raines(4)
was used to study mobile phone dependence among the study subjects. The questionnaire
was modified according to the local conditions. The mobile phone dependent students
were then designated as nomophobes.
The data were collected to elicit information on demographic and psychographic aspects
of the respondents. The demographic variables included age, gender, education and
residence. The psychographic variables included attitude towards usage of cellular
phones, mobile phones dependence and associated anxiety. The questionnaire focusing
on nomophobia had eight components: duration of having mobile phone with self; anxiety
and stress experienced because of faulty connections; loss of mobile and battery discharge;
amount spent per month on recharge (options expressed in Rupees as compared to the
original questionnaire that had options in Pounds); reaction shown to phone ringing
at inappropriate times; frequency of change of phone/sim cards (the original questionnaire
had an option focusing on termination of contract that was modified to change of phone
every one to two years as India has an extensive network of prepaid subscribers who
can change their phones and sim cards as and when required) and reactions because
of inability of using the phone for a period of one week. Every question was compulsory
and consisted of three options depicting maximum to minimum mobile phone association.
The changes made according to local needs were pretested. The individual responses
thus obtained were then compiled, processed and analysed to arrive at the results
on various issues. The available online questionnaire analyses the scores of each
respondent: it uses a cut-off limit of 24 for designating an individual as nomophobe;
individuals with scores from 20 to 24 are considered at risk.(4) The data of the individual
in the study were fed into the questionnaire available online(4) and scores were generated
for each study subject. The nomophobes and at risk individuals were thus ascertained
for individuals participating in the study. Involvement of students in sports and
social activities was not included in the study.
Results
The study population comprised 106 (53%) males and 94 (47%) females; of these 92(46%)
were day scholars and 108 (54%) were residents of hostels. The majority of students
were of the age group 17-28 year, of which 80 (40%) were of 20 year of age. Out of
the entire study group, the students having nomophobia score 10-23 were maximum from
I st professional (20.5%) and least from III rd professional -part - 2 (8%). The students
having nomophobia score >24 were maximum from III rd professional part - 1 (7%) and
minimum from internship (1%). Overall, 18.5% students were found to be nomophobes.
In gender-based observation, 19% males and 18% females were found to be nomophobes.
Twenty one out of 109 (19.26%) hostellers and 16 out of 91 (17.58%) day scholars were
found to be nomophobic. No statistically significant association was observed in relation
to gender, place of stay and academic sessions with nomophobia score. Approximately
73% students responded that they keep their mobile phones with them even when they
go to sleep (for 24 h a day), 18.5% students used mobile phone during college hours
and 8.5% students used it whenabsolutely necessary; 20% students responded that they
lose their concentration and become stressed when they do not have their mobile around
or their mobile has run out of battery; 44% students responded that they spend Rs.
250-500 per month for their mobile recharge; 25% students said that they upgrade their
mobile software at least once a year; 83% students responded that mobile phone is
a necessary tool to help them keep connected with their family members; 38.5% students
responded they keep on checking their mobile phones for messages and calls; 31% students
have at least one long duration call everyday for more than 30 min of which 39% comprised
of females and 24% males. About 56% students kept their mobile phones either in the
pocket of shirt or jeans close to their body so that they can have a feel of constant
touch with their mobile phone. While attending classes or hospital duties, 23% 1 st
Prof. students, 15% 2 nd Prof Jr. batch, 11% 2 nd Prof. Sr. batch, 25% 3 rd Prof Part-1,
10% 3 rd Prof Part-2 and 13% interns kept their mobile phones on silent mode or switched
off while 1% students of 1 st Prof, 2 nd Prof Jr. and Sr. batch, 3 rd Prof Part-1
and Part-2 and 4% interns answered immediately even while attending classes or during
duty hours [Tables 1 and 2].
Table 1
Nomophobia scores of the respondents based on the grade/year in which they study
Nomophobia Score
1st Prof.
2nd professional
2nd professional
3rd professional
3RD professional
Internship
Grand Total
10–23
41 (20.5)
24 (12)
17 (8.5)
38 (19)
16 (8)
27 (13.5)
163 (81.5)
>24
05 (2.5)
07 (3.5)
04 (2)
14 (7)
05 (2.5)
02 (1)
37 (18.5)*
Grand Total
46 (23)
31 (15.5)
21 (10.5)
52 (26)
21 (10.5)
29 (14.5)
200 (100)
*
It shows that around 19% students are nomophobes, Figures in parenthesis are percentages
Table 2
Nomophobia scores of the respondents based on gender
Nomophobia Score
Females
Males
Grand Total*
10–23
77 (81.9)
86 (81.13)
163 (81.5)
>24
17 (18.1)
20 (18.86)
37 (18.5)
Grand Total
94 (100)*
94 (100)*
200 (100)
*
It shows that 19% males and 18% females suffer from nomophobia, Figures in parenthesis
are percentages
Discussion
At present there is not much information about the topic. According to the study the
sample screened consisted of 53% males and 47% females of which 18.5% were found to
be nomophobic. The result of the study shows that this disorder is equally prevalent
among the study group irrespective of gender.
A study from United Kingdom on 2163 people revealed that 53% of the subjects tend
to be anxious when they lose their mobile phone, run out of battery or credit or have
no network coverage. The study found that about 58% of men and 48% of women suffer
from the phobia, and an additional 9% feel stressed when their mobile phones are off.
About 55% of those surveyed cited keeping in touch with friends or family as the main
reason that they got anxious when they could not use their mobile phones.(1) A study
conducted by Market Analysis and Consumer Research Organization (MACRO) in Mumbai
to study the various patterns and association of mobile phone usage reported that
58% of the respondents could not manage without a mobile phone even for a day.(2)
The present observations in this study are from a small group of students only, which
may not reflect the scenario worldwide since millions of cellular mobile subscribers
are added every month indicating that full blown nomophobia has all the possibilities
to reach to the epidemic scale. In reality these results give an alarming indication
that as days goes by the youth is getting more and more dependent on mobile phones,
which may lead to serious psychiatric(5) and psychological problems among the users.
To avoid the stress induced because of malfunctioning of mobile phones, people using
it should carry a charger all the time, prepaid phone card to make emergency call
in case their mobile is not functioning, credit balance in their mobile, should supply
family members and friends alternate contact number and store important phone numbers
somewhere else as backup in the case they lose their mobile phone.(6) People should
assess their addiction with mobile phone (nomophobia status) with the help of online
teaching sites, which can help reduce the anxiety levels(7) because of mobile phone
overuse.
Conclusion
The results of the study are suggestive of mobile phone dependence among students
of M.G.M. Medical College, Indore. The data is indicative of nomophobia to be an emerging
problem of the modern era. Multicentric studies are required to assess the real problem
and thereby take appropriate steps to tackle the growing problem.