R D Ramesh Naidu¹, Asis De^1,, K Vijaya¹, G. Srinivasa Rao¹, J.S. Surya Prabha¹, P. Kiran¹, A.V. Suresh¹

Modern days mobile phones have become an indispensable tool for communication. Recent literature shows the existence of co-morbidity between the use of smartphone, internet addiction, and psychiatric disorders. A study was conducted on the usage pattern and dependence on mobile phones among the students of professional colleges. A cross-sectional study among 100 medical & 100 engineering students, was conducted at Anil Neerukonda Educational Society (ANES), Visakhapatnam, India. Data were collected using a pre-designed & pre-tested questionnaire from October to November 2018. SAS-SV Scale was used to assess the mobile phone dependence. Collation of data was done using inferential statistical methods. Majority of respondents were females (52.5%) and in the age group of 19 years. Medical group included 32% males & 68% females and engineering group included 63% males & 37% females. 75% of students in both the groups were using mobile phone for a duration of 1-6 hours a day. While 32% students had addiction scale of more than 31 another 33% students were in the addiction scale range of between 22 and 30. An increased dependence of mobile phone usage among medical & engineering students had a negative effect on physical and mental health resulting in poor academic performance.

smart mobile phone usage, dependence, professional colleges