Abstract
Abstract
Objective: To determine the level of knowledge and attitude regarding smartphone-induced musculoskeletal disorders among undergraduate healthcare students.
Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Data were collected from undergraduate healthcare students at PMAS–Arid Agriculture University and the Centre for Advanced Studies in Health and Technology (CASHT), Rawalpindi, along with other healthcare institutions reached through an online survey (Google Forms), over a period of six months (February–July 2026).
Material and Methods: A total of 385 undergraduate healthcare students (MBBS, DPT, BDS, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Allied Health Sciences), aged ≥17 years and using a smartphone for ≥6 months, were recruited via convenience sampling. Knowledge (8 items; 0–8) and attitude (6 items, 5-point Likert; 6–30) were assessed using a structured questionnaire adapted from a validated tool. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.26.
Results: The mean age of participants was 21.98 ± 2.57 years (range 17–29 years); 269 were female. Most participants, 335, demonstrated good knowledge, 48 moderate knowledge, and 2 poor knowledge (mean knowledge score = 6.92 ± 1.18, out of 8). Regarding attitude, 292 participants showed a positive attitude, 86 a neutral/moderate attitude, and 7 a negative attitude (mean attitude score = 24.78 ± 3.98, out of 30).
Conclusion: Most healthcare students demonstrated good knowledge and a positive attitude toward smartphone-induced musculoskeletal disorders, though a meaningful minority showed only moderate knowledge or a neutral attitude — supporting the need for curriculum-integrated ergonomic education.
Keywords: Smartphone use, musculoskeletal disorders, knowledge, attitude, healthcare students, ergonomics.
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