Publication:

Pattern of whatsapp usage and its impact on medical students of Mysore Medical College and research institute, India

Background Mobile phone addiction/abuse/misuse is one of the forms of compulsive use of “a mobile phone” by youth across the world. “WhatsApp’s addiction/abuse/misuse” is now challenging health policy makers globally to think on this rapidly emerging issue. Objectives of the study were to know the whatsapp usage pattern among medical students and to find the impact of whatsapp usage pattern among medical students.

Methods A Cross Sectional study was conducted among all the MBBS students from 01-08-2015 to 01-10-2015. The data was collected by using pre designed semi-structured questionnaire. Proforma includes socio demographic profile, usage pattern and its impact.

Results This study revealed that 27.3% students had >20 Whatsapp visits per day,45.3% had 6-10 whatsapp groups,40.8% students changed their Whatsapp status within span of a week,32.3% students spend more than 60minutesin a day, 29.4% use Whatsapp while having food. 52.2% students stated that their study duration is impaired for 60 minutes in a day on an average and 12.9% students agreed that their academic performance is reduced since they started using Whatsapp. Participants in the study 45.8% students felt that they are unable to concentrate on study with usage of Whatsapp and 33.3% also felt that it lead to lack of physical activities,67.2% agreed that their social life has been improved upon using Whatsapp.

Conclusions Whatsapp overuse adversely affects the study duration, academic performance, and sleep. Yet medical students use Whatsapp groups for Academic purposes. Social life has been improved among Whatsapp users.