Research Information System
Arquivos De Neuro-Psiquiatria, vol.79, no.2, pp.139-148, 2020 (SCI-Expanded)
Abstract
The use of technological devices is growing rapidly,
and the use of cell phones is increasing parallel to that growth. The purpose
of this research was to investigate exposure to electromagnetic field, cell
phone use behaviors, the specific absorption values (SAR) values of the cell
phones used, and changes in health occurring after exposure in adolescent
university students.
METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to
1019 volunteer students aged 18-24 years at the Niğde Ömer Halisdemir and Recep
Tayip Erdoğan universities in 2018-2019. The questions were based on a survey
of the literature.
RESULTS: Adolescent students spent an average 4-8 hours a day
on their cell phones, and findings such as headache (p=0.002), concentration
deficit (p=0.001), tiredness on waking in the morning (p=0.001), hyperactivity (p=0.001),
a general feeling of fatigue (p=0.001), and lethargy (p=0.001) increased in a
statistically significant manner with length of use.
CONCLUSIONS: Participants exhibited high levels of cell phone use,
and adolescent individuals experienced biological, behavioral, and sleep
problems. They also possessed very little knowledge about specific SAR values,
an important criterion concerning cell phones.
Key words: Adolescent, Questionnaire, Cell phone, Electromagnetic
Field, SAR, University students