Different types of mobile phone use while driving and influencing factors on intention and behavior: Insights from an expanded theory of planned behavior.

Mobile phone use while driving (MPUWD) is a significant concern due to its negative impact on road safety. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess different types of MPUWD and identify factors influencing intention and behavior among drivers in Zahedan. A total of 392 participants provided information on demographic and driving characteristics, as well as constructs derived from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) augmented with moral norms. Findings revealed that a majority of drivers (86.4%) engaged in MPUWD, primarily involving calling, using applications, and texting. However, most participants did not intend to use their phones while driving in the following week. Multiple regression analysis identified age, receiving driving fines, subjective norm, and perceived behavior control as significant predictors of intention for MPUWD. Additionally, factors such as age, receiving driving fines, driving hours, car gearbox type, attitude, perceived behavior control, behavioral intention, and moral norm were significant predictors of actual MPUWD. Older participants demonstrated better behavior in various mobile phone activities while driving. Overall, the study emphasized that the main TPB constructs and moral norms have a greater influence compared to other variables in predicting MPUWD. Perceived behavioral control was the most important predictor of the intention and behavior of MPUWD. Understanding these factors can guide efforts to discourage MPUWD through targeted interventions and strategies to promote safer driving practices.

Mobile Phone Use and Risks of Overall and 25 Site-Specific Cancers: A Prospective Study from the UK Biobank Study.

BACKGROUND: The association between mobile phone use and incident cancers remains uncertain. We aimed to investigate the relationships of mobile phone use with incident overall and 25 site-specific cancers in men and women. METHODS: A total of 431,861 participants ages 38 to 73 years without prior cancers were included from the UK Biobank. Of these, 46.7% were male. Participants who used a mobile phone at least once per week to make or receive calls were defined as mobile phone users. The study outcomes were incident overall and 25 site-specific cancers. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 10.7 years, 35,401 (17.5%) men and 30,865 (13.4%) women developed overall cancer. Mobile phone use was significantly associated with higher risks of incident overall cancer [HR, 1.09; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.06-1.12], nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC; HR, 1.08; 95% CI: 1.03-1.14), urinary tract cancer (HR, 1.18; 95% CI:1.05-1.32), and prostate cancer (HR, 1.19; 95% CI: 1.13-1.25) in men, and incident overall cancer (HR, 1.03; 95% CI: 1.00-1.06), NMSC (HR, 1.07; 95% CI: 1.01-1.13), and vulva cancer (HR, 1.74; 95% CI: 1.00-3.02) in women, but not with other cancers. Among mobile phone users, there was a dose-response relationship of length of mobile phone use with incident NMSC in men and women, and prostate cancer in men (all Ptrend < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was a dose-response relationship of length of mobile phone use with incident NMSC in men and women, and prostate cancer in men. IMPACT: Our findings underscore the importance of limiting mobile phone use or keeping a distance from mobile phone for primary prevention of NMSC and prostate cancer.

Mobile phone use and its threat to dependence among secondary school students - an explanatory study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Nomophobia (NMP) is a present-age phobia of loss of use of information and communication technologies (ICT), particularly smartphones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study adopted a two-phase, exploratory consequential mixed methods design. The first phase was a quantitative exploration of the degree of NMP. The second mapped the potential area of risks in using modern ICT. Three working hypotheses were established to compare the opinions of secondary school students, their behaviour and degree of NMP. A 20-item anonymous questionnaire was administered to 373 boys and girls aged 14-15 in 11 randomly-selected secondary schools in the Czech Republic. RESULTS: The results prove that 0.5% of the subjects did not exhibit symptoms of NMP, a very mild form of NMP was detected in 71% of respondents, a mild form of NMP was detected in 18.7% of the respondents, a moderate form of NMP was detected in 7.8% of respondents, and a severe form of NMP was detected in 2% of respondents. Almost three-quarters of the students were not directly at risk of dependence on a mobile phone, but a 10th of the sample exhibited a set of symptoms of behavioural addiction. On average, respondents used 4 applications, communication programmes, social networks, and music players. Girls reported a higher dependence on mobile phones in comparison to boys. CONCLUSIONS: Further investigations should directly ascertain which integrands predict NMP, identifying risk groups, and developing preventive strategies (social and environmental factors) to better understand the underlying cause of NMP.

Relationship between musculoskeletal discomfort and cell phone use among young adults: A cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Cell phone usage is highly prevalent among young adults. They are used for multiple purposes including communication, studies, social networking and entertainment. However, its excessive usage has been associated with adverse health outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to find the association of cell phone usage with musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) and its associated factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on young adult students from a low-middle income country over a period of 3 months from December 2018 to February 2019. A structured questionnaire based on the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH scoring) was used to record the musculoskeletal discomfort. RESULTS: Out of 803 questionnaires, data of 754 (94%) were entered and the remaining questionnaires (n = 49) were discarded due to incomplete answers. The mean age was 20.83 (1.62) years. In our study, there were 194 (25.7%) males and 560 (74.3%) female participants. Neck and shoulder were the most frequently affected regions. A significant difference in QuickDASH score was observed between genders (p-value p ≤ 0.001). Left-handed individuals scored significantly higher on QuickDASH score compared to right-handed individuals (p < 0.05). Increased musculoskeletal discomfort was reported by individuals with daily cell phone use of more than four hours (p < 0.05). A positive significant correlation was found between continuous one hour cell-phone use and higher mean QuickDASH scores (correlation coefficient 0.124, p value 0.001). Shorter eye-to-screen distance was significantly associated with MSD (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Musculoskeletal discomfort is associated with the female gender, duration of cell phone use and a small eye-to-screen distance.

Sociotechnical Factors Supporting Mobile Phone Use by Bus Drivers.

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSResults of a survey of drivers working for two bus companies in Norway suggest that 20% of drivers sometimes use a mobile phone while driving, even though it is not permitted. Sociotechnical analysis of the system surrounding drivers at one of the companies elicited ways in which social and technical factors combined to support mobile phone use by bus drivers. These factors were arranged under four themes: increased societal dependence on technology; developments in bus driver culture; the need for bus drivers to resolve conflicting goals; and a lack of belief in adverse consequences of using mobile phone while driving. Our findings (i) support claims that driver-centered analyses of mobile phone use or other traffic safety challenges are an insufficient basis for the development of measures and should be supplemented by sociotechnical analyses; and (ii) can inspire the design of more comprehensive measures to help reduce mobile phone use and road safety risks.

Background: Sociotechnical measures could supplement traditional risk management measures and further reduce risks of collisions involving heavy vehicles. Such measures can be identified using methods rooted in sociotechnical systems theory, which considers that people work in systems comprising multiple social and technical elements that interact to create emergent properties and conditions that influence valued system outcomes. Purpose: To investigate the potential of sociotechnical measures in helping to reduce road risks, we identified how social and technical factors combine to influence mobile phone use by bus drivers working at a company in Norway. Method: A survey of ∼600 drivers was completed, followed by focus group interviews with managers and drivers and one-on-one or group interviews with drivers. The interviews were structured using a sociotechnical analysis framework. Results: Twenty percent of drivers reported using their phone while operating a bus, even though such use was against company guidelines. Almost all drivers took their phone with them when they drove, and 40% of those who said they never used their phone while driving could still hear incoming calls and messages. Analysis from nine interviews with 26 drivers suggested that phone use by drivers operating buses is supported by interacting sociotechnical factors due to an increased societal dependence on technology, developments in bus driver culture, a need for bus drivers to resolve conflicting goals at work, and a lack of consequences for drivers using mobile phone use while driving. Conclusions: Limited consideration of the sociotechnical ecosystems surrounding bus drivers can contribute to their mobile phone use and thereby to potential problems of attention and awareness while driving. Sociotechnical approaches should be developed using participative design to reduce phone use while driving, especially to promote openness and information sharing and support bus drivers in the field as they strive to resolve conflicting goals.

A meta-analysis of the risk of salivary gland tumors associated with mobile phone use: the importance of correct exposure assessment.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the risk of developing salivary gland tumors associated with the use of mobile phones. CONTENT: There have been a number of epidemiological studies conducted to assess for a possible association between mobile phone usage and the development of intracranial tumours, however results have been conflicting. We conducted an extensive literature search across four different databases was conducted. After selecting the articles relevant to the area of study, a total of seven studies were included in this meta-analysis, with no restrictions set on publication date or language. Studies were qualitatively assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. No significant association between the use of mobile phones and salivary gland tumors was observed (OR=1.06, 95% CI=0.86-1.32). No evidence for publication bias was detected. SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK: Our findings indicate no significant association between mobile phone usage and salivary gland tumours. However, there were many limitations encountered in these studies, suggesting that the observed result may not be an accurate estimate of the true carcinogenic risk of mobile phones, especially for heavy long-term users. In fact, the studies included in this meta-analysis highlight the need to correctly define exposure assessment in order to ascertain the risk of a certain variable.

Is distraction on the road associated with maladaptive mobile phone use? A systematic review.

Maladaptive Mobile Phone Use (MMPU) (also known as Smartphone Addiction, Nomophobia, Fear of Missing Out, or Problematic Mobile Phone Use) is a growing mental health problem. However, the health and safety consequences of MMPU remain unexplored in many real-life contexts. A potential setting where MMPU may have some negative repercussions is on the road. It is well established that road users (e.g., drivers, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists) increasingly injure themselves or others due to distractions such as phone use while on the road. Emerging research suggests that MMPU is a possible determinant of this risky behaviour. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the relationship between MMPU and mobile phone use behaviour on the road, as it could help guide and improve interventions aimed at increasing road safety. This systematic review investigated the relationship between maladaptive mobile phone use and mobile phone use behaviour on the road in terms of attitudes and risk perception, intention, phone use engagement, performance changes, and safety outcomes. A total of 44 studies were identified with 47 unique samples of road users, of which 68.1% (32/47) were comprised of drivers, 19.1% (9/47) were pedestrians, 8.5% (4/47) were unspecified road users, and there was one group of motorcyclists and cyclists. Our findings confirmed that MMPU is related to risky behaviour on the roads. In the 29 studies considering observed or self-reported behaviour, 90.9% (30/33) found that road users who scored higher in MMPU are more likely to use their phones on the road as cyclists, drivers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. Of the nine studies that analysed performance changes, 55.6% (5/9) showed evidence that MMPU changes the performance of road users engaging in mobile phone use, meaning that there is evidence suggesting that MMPU determines the level of impairment. Of the nine studies that analysed the safety-related-outcomes, 66.7% (6/9) found that the higher the MMPU score, the more likely road users are to experience safety-critical traffic events. This review contributes to the literature by showing a pathway between the negative health consequences of MMPU and road trauma. We also identified that the quality of the studies was generally low due to study design and blinding aspects. This field of research also lacks standard practices as researchers avoid using established and well-validated questionnaires, often creating new ones to measure MMPU. This hinders the generalisability of the findings and raises questions about the construct validity and external validity of MMPU. The usefulness of future research would be enhanced by a consistent methodological approach using the same scales based on standard behavioural definitions. The cross-disciplinary nature of MMPU effects means that transport and road safety professionals need to work with healthcare professionals and technology organisations to understand and address MMPU as a contributing factor to road crashes.

A study on the effect of mobile phone use on sleep.

Background & objectives: Several studies have been conducted globally to assess the impact of usage of mobile phones on quality and duration of sleep as also on day time sleepiness. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of mobile phone usage on the quality and composition of sleep in a sample from Indian population. Methods: The study was conducted at two tertiary care hospitals in north India from July 2014 to September 2019. A total of 566 participants were recruited in this study from both the centres. Sleep quality was assessed with the help of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire. Subsequently, actigraphy was done in 96 participants and polysomnography in 95 participants. Results: Of the 566 participants, 128 (22.61%) had PSQI ≥5, reflecting poor sleep quality. A higher use of mobile phone was significantly associated with a poor sleep quality as a component of PSQI questionnaire (P=0.01) and higher overall PSQI score (P=0.01). The latency from sleep onset to N2 and N3 sleep stages was significantly shorter in participants having a higher mobile phone usage as compared to those with a lower usage [Median (range): 13.5 min (1.5-109) vs. 6.5 min (0-89); P=0.02] and [Median (range): 49 min (8.5-220.5) vs. 28.75 min (0-141); P=0.03], respectively. Interpretation & conclusions: This study focused on the maladaptive changes brought on by mobile phone usage on sleep. More studies with larger sample sizes need to be done that may serve to confirm the hypothesis generating findings of our study.

The effect of risk perception and other psychological factors on mobile phone use while crossing the street among pedestrians.

Pedestrians may be the most vulnerable group among road users, and mobile phone use while crossing the street is ubiquitous worldwide in this information era. However, previous studies have found that such distracting behaviors may increase the risk of injury and death. The present study primarily aimed to explore the effect of reinforcement sensitivity theory components (i.e., Behavioral Inhibition System (BIS), Behavioral Approach System (BAS)), risk perception, attitudes towards red light running, and fear of missing out (FoMO) on mobile phone use while crossing the street among pedestrians. Risk perception was measured in three ways (i.e., assessing the probability of a negative outcome (RP-Pro), judging the severity of the consequence (RP-Se), and evaluating the general riskiness of the behavior (RP-Ri)). An online questionnaire survey was conducted, and only valid responses (N = 425) were used for subsequent data analyses. The results indicated significant differences in the responses across the risk perception questions with different focuses. Participants who reported engaging in more distracted street-crossing (i.e., high-risk takers) perceived a significantly lower risk, and this difference did not depend on the focus of risk perception. Three path analysis models with differential risk perception constructs (RP-Pro, RP-Se, and RP-Ri) were developed to examine the relationship between risk perception and distracted street-crossing. The results suggest that the relationship between these two variables does not depend on the focus of the risk perception questions. Moreover, FoMO was a predictor of mobile phone use while crossing the street, while attitudes had both direct and indirect effects on behavior. BIS and BAS had the lowest total effect on mobile phone use among pedestrians. In particular, a direct association between BAS and distracted street-crossing was found only in the model in which risk perception was measured by judging the severity of crashes caused by mobile phone use distraction. This study may be meaningful for understanding the associations between psychological factors and mobile phone use among pedestrians. The implications of the findings for the development of safety interventions are discussed in this study.

Temporal analysis of cellphone-use-involved crash injury severities: Calling for preventing cellphone-use-involved distracted driving.

With the popularity of smartphones and the increasing dependence on cellphones, cellphone-use-involved distracted driving has become a global traffic safety concern. Calling, texting, or watching videos while driving could have harmful impacts on driving abilities and increase crash-injury severities. To investigate the temporal stability and the heterogeneity of cellphone-involved crash injury severity determinants, a series of likelihood ratio tests and random parameters logit models with heterogeneity in means and variances are estimated. Cellphone-involved single-vehicle crash datasets of Pennsylvania from 2004 to 2019 are utilized. Marginal effects are also applied to investigate the impact of explanatory variables on injury severity outcomes. The results indicate an overall temporal instability of cellphone-involved crashes across different periods. However, driving without seatbelts and overturns are observed to produce relatively stable and positive influence on the increased injury severities of cellphone-involved crashes. Besides, it is noteworthy that a combination of cellphone usage with risky driving behaviors (aggressive driving, alcohol- or drug-related driving, speeding, or fatigue driving) significantly increase driver injury-severities. This finding highlights the necessity of identifying drivers with multiple risk-taking behaviors and enacting laws to prohibit these drivers from using cellphones while driving. Applications of smartphones provide another feasible approach to prevent using cellphones while driving. Insights and suggestions of this study would be valuable to mitigate the negative outcomes of cellphone-involved crashes and prevent the crashes caused by cellphone-involved distracted driving in the future.

An Unusual Cause of Internal Carotid Artery Dissection: Mobile Phone Misuse.

The use of mobile phones has become an indispensable part of our lives, especially due to widespread use of the internet. We report the case of a 38-year-old male patient who developed internal carotid artery dissection after talking on the phone between her left shoulder and ear by laterally flexing the neck for 20 minutes. In addition to many positive effects of technology that facilitate the daily life, the development of neurological deficits may be observed with widespread use of mobile phones. Misuse of mobile phone should be considered in patients with carotid artery dissection.

Mobile Phone Use and Cognitive Impairment among Elderly Chinese: A National Cross-Sectional Survey Study.

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between mobile phone use and cognitive impairment using the data of the Prevention and Intervention on Neurodegenerative Disease for Elderly in China (PINDEC) survey. A total of 21,732 participants aged 60 years and above in China were recruited using a stratified, multi-stage cluster sampling method, providing information on demographics, lifestyle and health-related characteristics, mobile phone use, and cognitive impairment through face-to-face interviews by trained staff according to a standard protocol. All estimates of rates were weighted by sex, age, and living area (rural or urban) in the elderly Chinese population. The rate of mobile phone usage was 65.5% (14.3% for smartphone use). The prevalence of cognitive impairment in non-users of mobile phone, dumbphone users, and smartphone users were 17.8%, 5.0%, and 1.4%, respectively. The odds of having cognitive impairment in users of dumbphone and smartphone were lower than non-users after adjusting for demographics, lifestyle, and health-related factors (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 0.39, 95% CI 0.35 to 0.45; p < 0.001; AOR, 0.16, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.25; p < 0.001, respectively). Smartphone use in Chinese elderly people was quite low. A strong correlation was found between mobile phone use and better cognitive function; yet longitudinal studies are warranted to explore the causal relationship. Future design of mobile phone-based interventions should consider the feasibility among those in need.

The Impact of Mobile Phone Use on Tinnitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Tinnitus is a perception of sound in the absence of an external source. The aim of our study was to investigate with a meta-analytical approach, whether mobile phone (MP) use increases the risk of tinnitus. Eight studies reporting the risk of tinnitus in relation to MP use were identified, and six high-quality studies (two cohort studies, one case-control study, and three cross-sectional ones) were included in the meta-analysis. The quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The risk of tinnitus was analyzed depending on the exposure to MPs in subgroups according to the study design and method of exposure assessment. Two cohort studies, which assessed the exposure to MPs using network operator data, indicated no significantly increased risk of tinnitus among highly exposed MP users in comparison to lightly exposed individuals (odds ratio [OR]: 1.03 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93-1.15]). Likewise, the self-reported exposure data from two cohorts/case-control and four cross-sectional studies did not find an association between exposure to MPs and tinnitus (OR: 1.20 [95% CI: 0.40-3.61] and OR: 1.73 [95% CI: 0.67-4.49], respectively). Current scientific knowledge, including high-quality studies with a reliable exposure assessment based on network operator data, does not support the hypothesis that MP use is associated with tinnitus. © 2020 Bioelectromagnetics Society.

Nursing as a mediator between nomophobia and social isolation in response to COVID-19 / Enfermería como mediadora entre la nomofobia y el aislamiento social en respuesta al COVID-19 / Enfermagem como mediadora entre nomofobia e isolamento social em resposta à COVID-19

ABSTRACT Objective To reflect on the relationship between the nomophobia and the pandemic of COVID-19 and the nursing contributions to deal with this issue and its consequences. Method This reflective and theoretical study was based on the dialogue between the scientific literature on the subject and in dialogue and conceptual perspective of comprehensive care. Results Nursing strives to harmonize observed problems and can support individuals to reflect and discover a potential harmful habit regarding the use of cell phones, especially when undergoing treatments for other diagnoses. Final considerations Nursing, when accessing the emotional and subjective aspects of those under their care, helps to alleviate the symptoms of nomophobia and, in tune with the patient, promotes harmony in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESUMEN Objetivo Reflexionar sobre la relación entre la nomofobia y la pandemia de COVID-19 y las posibles contribuciones de Enfermería para abordar este tema. Método Este estudio teórico y reflexivo basado en el dialogo entre la literatura científica sobre el tema y una perspectiva conceptual de la atención integral. Resultados La enfermería se esfuerza por armonizar los problemas observados y puede ayudar a las personas a reflexionar y descubrir un posible hábito perjudicial con respecto al uso de teléfonos celulares, especialmente cuando se someten a tratamientos para otros diagnósticos. Consideraciones finales La enfermería, al acceder a los aspectos emocionales y subjetivos de las personas bajo su cuidado, ayuda a aliviar los síntomas de la nomofobia y, en sintonía con el paciente, promueve la armonía frente a la pandemia de COVID-19.

RESUMO Objetivo Refletir sobre a relação entre nomofobia e pandemia da COVID-19 e delinear as contribuições da Enfermagem para lidar com esta situação e suas consequências. Método Estudo teórico e reflexivo, fundamentado no diálogo entre a literatura científica sobre a temática e uma perspectiva conceitual da integralidade do cuidado. Resultados A Enfermagem pode apoiar a identificação e reflexão sobre um hábito prejudicial relacionado ao uso inadequado do telefone celular, principalmente quando os indivíduos estão em tratamento para outros diagnósticos. Considerações finais A Enfermagem, ao abordar os aspectos emocionais e subjetivos das pessoas sob seus cuidados, pode auxiliar no alívio dos sintomas da nomofobia e, em sintonia com as necessidades do paciente, contribuir para maior segurança, redução do estresse e identificação de estratégias promotoras de bem-estar neste contexto de pandemia.

Obsesión y compulsión en el uso/abuso del móvil: el OCDUS-TIC / Obsession and compulsion in mobile phone use/abuse: OCDUS-ICT

La compulsividad ha sido considerada una de las características nucleares de las conductas adictivas. Uno de los comportamientos abusivos que ha adquirido importancia en tiempos recientes es el uso del teléfono móvil. El objetivo del presente trabajo es obtener una versión de la Escala de Uso Obsesivo-Compulsivo de Drogas (OCDUS) para estudiar la compulsividad asociada al abuso del móvil, conocer sus propiedades psicométricas básicas y resultados de su aplicación. Se creó y administró el OCDUS-TIC por Internet, mediante mensajería instantánea, redes sociales y correo electrónico, solicitándose la participación anónima y voluntaria. Adicionalmente se administraron el MULTICAGE-TIC y el Inventario de Síntomas Prefrontales (ISP). Se obtuvo una muestra de n=748 sujetos, 33% varones y 94% nacidos y residentes en España. El test obtuvo adecuados valores de consistencia interna, aplicando diferentes estimadores. Se realizó un análisis factorial confirmatorio sobre las escalas teóricas, alcanzando adecuados estimadores de ajuste. Se observó que los componentes obsesivo-compulsivos son de mayor magnitud a medida que se incrementa la implicación en el uso y su progresión al abuso del móvil. Las escalas del OCDUS-TIC mostraron correlaciones de gran magnitud con los síntomas de mal funcionamiento prefrontal, especialmente la de Pensamiento-Interferencia (r > 0,80). En conclusión, el OCDUS-TIC explora con garantías psicométricas los componentes obsesivo-compulsivos del uso/abuso del móvil, que se relacionan estrechamente con fallos cotidianos de origen prefrontal. Si la impulsividad ha centrado el interés en el estudio del abuso del móvil, los datos del presente estudio aconsejan prestar mayor atención a la compulsividad como factor de mantenimiento del abuso

Compulsiveness has been considered one of the core characteristics of addictive behaviours. One of the abusive behaviours that has acquired importance in recent times involves the use of mobile phones. The aim of this study is to obtain a version of the Obsessive-Compulsive Drug-Use Scale (OCDUS) to study the compulsivity associated with mobile phone abuse, its basic psychometric properties and the results of its application. The OCDUS-ICT was created and administered over the Internet, through instant messaging programs, social networks and e-mail, and anonymous and voluntary participation was requested. Additionally, MULTICAGE-ICT and the Inventory of Prefrontal Symptoms were administered. A sample of n=748 subjects, 33% males and 94% born and resident in Spain was obtained. The test obtained adequate values of internal consistency, applying different estimators. Confirmatory factor analysis of the theoretical scales yielded adequate fit indices. Obsessive-compulsive components were observed to become stronger as mobile phone use increased and approached abuse levels. OCDUS-ICT scales showed large correlations with prefrontal malfunction symptoms, especially Thoughts-Interference (r>0.80). In conclusion, OCDUS-ICT explores with psychometric accuracy the obsessive-compulsive components of mobile use/abuse, which are closely related to malfunctions in daily life attributable to the prefrontal cortex. If impulsivity has so far been the focus in the study of mobile phone abuse, the data from the present study suggest that greater attention should be paid to compulsivity as a factor in maintaining abuse

Is Covid-19 lockdown related to an increase of accesses for seizures in the emergency department? An observational analysis of a paediatric cohort in the Southern Italy.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global pandemic of Covid-19 on 11 March 2020. The lockdown caused a lifestyle changes: an increase in the use of mobile media devices (MMDs), sleep and psychiatric disorders, incorrect habits regarding food and physical activities. We investigate prevalence of admission for seizures at our emergency department (ED), during Italian lockdown, comparing with that of the same period of the previous year (2019), and the relationship with some lifestyle changes. METHODS: In this observational study, patients (4-14 years) with seizures that accessed at our ED, during Italian lockdown, were eligible. Non-epileptic events and febrile seizures were excluded. We describe two groups: patients with new-onset seizures and not. Moreover, a questionnaire concerning use of MMDs and sleep habits was administered. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients were included; median age 8.03 years. Considering only paediatric medical emergencies, the prevalence of accesses for seizures was 2.6% (CI 95% 0.020-0.034), while the incidence was 0.94% (CI 95% 0.006-0.0149). There was a statistically significant difference with prevalence of previous years, χ2 102.21 (p = 0.0001). We also reported a difference in daily screen time (DST) (p = 0.001) and total sleep time (TST) (p = 0.045), in all population, between period pre- and during lockdown. A negative correlation between DST and seizures latency (Spearman's ρ -0.426, p = 0.038) was found. In the two groups, the results were partially overlapping. CONCLUSIONS: During lockdown period, we assisted to an increase of accesses for seizures. It is conceivable that a sleep time change and/or higher MMD use could act as triggers for seizures.

Relationship between using cell phone and the risk of accident with motor vehicles: An analytical cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Traffic accidents are one of the major health problems in the world, being the first cause of burden of illness and the second leading cause of death in Iran. The Sistan-Baluchestan province is one of the most accidental provinces of Iran with the highest rate of accidents-caused deaths. This study was conducted to determine the risk factors associated with traffic accidents in Zahedan through 2013 to 2016. METHODS: This analytical cross-sectional study was carried out on 223 drivers from Zahedan who were traumatized by traffic accident and sent to Zahedan hospitals. The data were obtained through interviews taken by the trained interviewers via refereeing to the medical records and collected in the researcher-made checklist. Census was obtained from the study subjects. For data analysis, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Chi-square and logistic regression were used with the Stata software version 11.0. RESULTS: In this study, 223 male subjects with the mean age of (32.54 ± 12.95) years, 39.8% single and 60.2% married, entered for investigation. Most accidents (38.8%) occurred between 12:00 to 17:59. While driving, 47.1% of the study subjects were using cell phones, 89.1% had manual use of mobile phones, 21.9% had a habit of sending short message service (SMS) and 23.4% had sent SMS within 10 min before the accident. The one way analysis of variance showed that the mean age of individuals with marital status, driving experience, education and accident with motorcycle were significantly different (p < 0.05). Also, the multivariate logistic regression test indicated a significant relationship of smoking, ethnicity, insurance and SMS typing while driving with motorcycle accident (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, SMS and smoking while driving had the highest risk among the variables studied in the motorcycle accidents. Therefore, effective education attempting to enhance people's awareness about the consequences of using cell phone and smoking during driving to reduce traffic accidents seems necessary.

A Comparative Study of Accident Risk Related to Speech-Based and Handheld Texting during a Sudden Braking Event in Urban Road Environments.

The use of mobile phones while driving is a very common phenomenon that has become one of the main causes of traffic accidents. Many studies on the effects of mobile phone use on accident risk have focused on conversation and texting; however, few studies have directly compared the impacts of speech-based texting and handheld texting on accident risk, especially during sudden braking events. This study aims to statistically model and quantify the effects of potential factors on accident risk associated with a sudden braking event in terms of the driving behavior characteristics of young drivers, the behavior of the lead vehicle (LV), and mobile phone distraction tasks (i.e., both speech-based and handheld texting). For this purpose, a total of fifty-five licensed young drivers completed a driving simulator experiment in a Chinese urban road environment under five driving conditions: baseline (no phone use), simple speech-based texting, complex speech-based texting, simple handheld texting, and complex handheld texting. Generalized linear mixed models were developed for the brake reaction time and rear-end accident probability during the sudden braking events. The results showed that handheld texting tasks led to a delayed response to the sudden braking events as compared to the baseline. However, speech-based texting tasks did not slow down the response. Moreover, drivers responded faster when the initial time headway was shorter, when the initial speed was higher, or when the LV deceleration rate was greater. The rear-end accident probability respectively increased by 2.41 and 2.77 times in the presence of simple and complex handheld texting while driving. Surprisingly, the effects of speech-based texting tasks were not significant, but the accident risk increased if drivers drove the vehicle with a shorter initial time headway or a higher LV deceleration rate. In summary, these findings suggest that the effects of mobile phone distraction tasks, driving behavior characteristics, and the behavior of the LV should be taken into consideration when developing algorithms for forward collision warning systems.

Mobile phone use during pregnancy: Which association with fetal growth?

INTRODUCTION: Few studies have investigated the effect of electromagnetic waves on the human fetus whereas nowadays mobile phone use is ubiquitous. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between mobile phone use by pregnant women and fetal development during pregnancy in the general population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data came from the NéHaVi cohort ("prospective follow-up, from intrauterine development to the age of 18 years, for children born in Haute-Vienne"), a prospective, longitudinal, multicenter (three maternity units in Haute-Vienne) observational cohort focusing on children born between April 2014 and April 2017. Main objective was to investigate the association of mobile phone use on fetal growth. Univariate and multivariate models were generated adjusted for the socioprofessional category variables of the mother, and other variables likely to influence fetal growth. RESULTS: For the analysis 1378 medical charts were considered from which 1368 mothers (99.3 %) used their mobile phones during pregnancy. Mean phone time was 29.8 min (range: 0.0-240.0 min) per day. After adjustment, newborns whose mothers used their mobile phones for more than 30 min/day were significantly more likely to have an AUDIPOG score ≤ 10th percentile than those whose mothers used their mobile phones for less than 5 min/day during pregnancy (aOR = 1.54 [1.03; 2.31], p = 0.0374). For women using their cell phones 5-15 min and 15-30 min, there wasn't a significant association with an AUDIPOG score ≤ 10th, respectively aOR = 0.98 [0.58; 1.65] and aOR = 1.68 [0.99; 2.82]. CONCLUSION: Using a mobile phone for calls for more than 30 min per day during pregnancy may have a negative impact on fetal growth. A prospective study should be performed to further evaluate this potential link.