2022, Vol. 9, Issue 1, Part G

Excessive mobile screen time (MST) is more pronounced in youth. Excessive MST can increase sedentary lifestyle and detrimental health consequences such as elevated blood pressure (EBP), evolving rapidly into worse cardiovascular disturbances. This study examined the association between mobile screen time and high blood pressure in medical college students. This study was cross-sectional, involving 102 undergraduate medical students. Mobile screen time was obtained from Screen Time Monitor for iOs and Screen Time – Restrain Yourself & Parental Control Ver. 2.1.1. MST was considered low if <7hours/day and high if ≥7 hours/day. Subjects were encouraged to perform self-measure blood pressure. Blood pressure was measured using a digital blood pressure monitor (oscillometric) according to the current guideline from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association. Chi-square or independent t-test was applied to compare variables between groups. Significance was set at p<0.05. Statistical analysis was computed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19. A high mobile screen time (≥ 7 hours/day) was identified in 56 students (54.9%). Elevated blood pressure was found in 11,8% of students. Systolic blood pressure was higher in high MST (110.87 mmHg±6.84 vs. 115.02 mmHg±9.28, p=0.011). Association between mobile screen time and elevated blood pressure was significant (OR 4.78, 95% CI 3.21-6.36, p=0.035). Mobile screen time had an association with elevated blood pressure in medical students. Students with high mobile screen time were 4.78 times more likely to have an elevated blood pressure than low mobile screen time.