Publication:

A mixed-method study on prevalence, associated factors, and perception of nomophobia among undergraduate students of a medical college in Nagpur, India

Background Nomophobia, or “no mobile phone phobia,” is an emerging behavioral problem characterized by anxiety when individuals are unable to use their mobile phones. Medical students are particularly vulnerable due to heavy academic and social reliance on smartphones. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and identify associated factors and explore perceptions related to nomophobia among undergraduate medical students.

Methods A mixed-method cross-sectional study was conducted among 365 MBBS students at a medical college in Central India. Data on sociodemographic profile, smartphone use, and nomophobia severity were collected using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire incorporating the 20-item nomophobia questionnaire (NMP-Q). Associations were tested using Chi-square. For the qualitative component, in-depth interviews were conducted with six students identified with severe nomophobia, and thematic content analysis was performed.

Results Moderate nomophobia was observed in 63% of participants, mild in 23%, severe in 3%, and none in 11%. nomophobia was significantly associated with age group (p=0.004), place of residence (p<0.001), and primary purpose of smartphone use (p<0.001). Qualitative analysis identified five major themes: perceived necessity, emotional attachment, awareness of overuse, control versus dependence, and emerging technology-related nomophobia, with students reporting increasing reliance on AI tools such as ChatGPT for academic support.

Conclusions Nomophobia is highly prevalent among medical undergraduates, particularly among younger students, hostel residents, and those using smartphones mainly for leisure or social networking. Targeted interventions promoting digital well-being and controlled smartphone use are needed to mitigate its potential academic and psychological impacts.