Ownership and Use of Mobile Phone-A Population Based Study Physical Education and Sport College Students in Turkey

Abstract

Purpose: Recent years have seen a rapid increase in the use of mobile phones, raising concers about possible adverse health effecets. The present study aims to find out the prevalence of mobile phone usage of the students educated in sports training in the university. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out 01 October and 31 May in 2010. 1325 students (94.5%) out of total 1402 studying in the Department of Physical Education and Sports Schools of five different universities located on the Black Sea accepted to participate in the study. A questionnaire form was applied to the participants under the observation of the researchers. Results: In the study, although 1036 (78.2%) of the students said that mobile phones had adverse health effects, it was found that 1305 (98.5%) students used mobile phones, 251 (18.9%) had more than one mobile phone and each talk took the least median 3 (1-14) minutes and the most median 10 (1-14) minutes. 506 (38.8 %) of the mobile phone users said that they talked on the mobile phone while driving. Conclusion: As a result, it was found that the use of mobile phones among the students was common and they usually carried their mobile phones on them during their classes. Even though mobile phones are important for those students studying away from their homes to keep in touch with their families, it is suggested that they should pay attention to some practices while using their mobile phones.