Cell-phone use and self-reported hypertension: national health interview survey 2008

Prevalence and risk factors of hypertension among adolescents living in Ghana

This study assessed the prevalence of and risk factors for hypertension among adolescents in two selected districts in Ghana. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 24. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the risk factors of hypertension among adolescents. The overall prevalence of high blood pressure (BP) was 11.6%. The non-modifiable risk factors that predicted high BP were district of residence (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.328, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.328-0.203), age (AOR = 1.540, 95%CI = 1.240-1.913), relationship status (AOR = 1.960 95%CI = 1.059-3.628) and possessing a phone (AOR = 0.538, 95%CI = 0.325-0.890). The modifiable risk factors that predicted high BP were high BMI, not checking BP regularly, and not having an awareness of salt intake. In accordance with these results, prevention programs must focus on adolescent knowledge, lifestyle practices, and attitudes toward control measures. It is important to incorporate health education in school curricula to promote a healthy lifestyle and limit the risks associated with high BP.

Mobile phone calls, genetic susceptibility, and new-onset hypertension: results from 212 046 UK Biobank participants

Aims

The relationship between mobile phone use for making or receiving calls and hypertension risk remains uncertain. We aimed to examine the associations of mobile phone use for making or receiving calls and the use frequency with new-onset hypertension in the general population, using data from the UK Biobank.

Methods and results

A total of 212 046 participants without prior hypertension in the UK Biobank were included. Participants who have been using a mobile phone at least once per week to make or receive calls were defined as mobile phone users. The primary outcome was new-onset hypertension. During a median follow-up of 12.0 years, 13 984 participants developed new-onset hypertension. Compared with mobile phone non-users, a significantly higher risk of new-onset hypertension was found in mobile phone users [hazards ratio (HR), 1.07; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01-1.12]. Among mobile phone users, compared with those with a weekly usage time of mobile phones for making or receiving calls <5 mins, significantly higher risks of new-onset hypertension were found in participants with a weekly usage time of 30-59 mins (HR, 1.08; 95%CI: 1.01-1.16), 1-3 h (HR, 1.13; 95%CI: 1.06-1.22), 4-6 h (HR, 1.16; 95%CI: 1.04-1.29), and >6 h (HR, 1.25; 95%CI: 1.13-1.39) (P for trend <0.001). Moreover, participants with both high genetic risks of hypertension and longer weekly usage time of mobile phones making or receiving calls had the highest risk of new-onset hypertension.

Conclusions

Mobile phone use for making or receiving calls was significantly associated with a higher risk of new-onset hypertension, especially among high-frequency users.

The association between self-reported mobile phone usage with blood pressure and heart rate: evidence from a cross-sectional study

Background

With the advancement of technology, the rate of access and use of mobile phones in different communities has increased significantly. Mobile phones emit electromagnetic waves and therefore excessive use of them may have harmful effects on physical and mental health and especially on the cardiovascular system. This study aimed to investigate the association between self-reported mobile phone use duration and blood pressure and heart rate (HR) using data from Ravansar non-communicable diseases (RaNCD) cohort study.

Methods

The present cross-sectional study was performed using the data of 8905 out of 10,065 participants in the RaNCD study in Iran. According to the mean self-reported duration of mobile phone usage (min/day) over the previous 12 months, all users were divided into four groups. The first and fourth groups had the least and most time using mobile phones respectively. The relationship between blood pressure and the duration of mobile phone use was determined using univariate and multiple linear regression.

Results

Of 8905 participants aged 35–65 years, 1515 (17.0%) of them didn't use mobile phones. The minimum, maximum, and mean duration of self-reported mobile phone use between users were 3.4, 50.4, and 19.5 min/day, respectively. A decrease in women's systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and HR was observed by increasing the duration of mobile phone use. With adjustment for effective confounding factors, there was a significant negative association between SBP [-2.52 (-4.11, -0.94)], DBP [-1.86 (-2.83, -0.89)], and duration of mobile use.

Conclusion

In this study, a significant decreasing trend was found between SBP, DBP, and HR and higher mobile phone usage in women. Based on regression analysis, SBP, DBP, and duration of mobile phone use were associated negatively in those who used their phones for at least 8 h.

Mobile phones and applications in the management of patients with arterial hypertension

The use of mobile health (mHealth) in the field of medicine is constantly evolving and advancing. Arterial hypertension, a major modifiable cardiovascular risk factor with a high prevalence in the general population, frequently remains underdiagnosed and thus untreated. Furthermore, the majority of hypertensive patients fail to achieve blood pressure target levels. The purpose of this review is to identify and evaluate current use of mHealth strategies, with focus on mobile phones, smartphones and applications, in the management of patients with arterial hypertension. Current mobile technology has the capacity to inform and motivate the general public for timely diagnosis of hypertension, to facilitate communication between physicians and patients, to aid in the monitoring of blood pressure levels and the optimization of treatment and to promote, in general, a healthy lifestyle and assist in the management of other cardiovascular risk factors. There is potential for positive impact of mHealth technology in the management of arterial hypertension, as well as probable detrimental effects that warrant caution. The research in this field is ongoing and future well-conducted studies are needed in order to establish the use of mobile technology in arterial hypertension management.

Psychological Factors and Alcohol Use in Problematic Mobile Phone Use in the Spanish Population

This research aims to study the existing relationships among the factors of state anxiety, depression, impulsivity, and alcohol consumption regarding problematic mobile phone use, as assessed by the Mobile Phone Problem Use Scale. The study was conducted among 1,126 participants recruited among the general Spanish population, aged 16-65 years, by assessing the predictive value of these variables regarding this problematic use. Initially tobacco use was also considered being subsequently refused because of the low internal consistency of the scale used. In general terms, the results show that this problematic use is mainly related to state anxiety and impulsivity, through the dimensions of Positive and Negative Urgency. Considering its predictive value, multiple regression analysis reveals that state anxiety, positive and negative urgency, and alcohol consumption may predict problematic mobile phone use, ruling out the influence of depression.

Mobile Phone Usage and its Health Effects Among Adults in a Semi-Urban Area of Southern India

INTRODUCTION

Worldwide, mobile phone usage has been increased dramatically which could affect the health of the people. India has the second largest number of mobile phone users. However there are only few studies conducted in India to assess its effects on health.

AIM

To determine the prevalence and pattern of mobile phone usage and to assess the relationship between certain selected health problems and mobile phone usage among adults.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Kottakuppam, a town panchayat in Villupuram district of Coastal Tamil Nadu, Southern India. It is a semi-urban area with a population of about 16,000. Majority of the residents are Muslim by religion and belong to different socio economic status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. A total of 2121 study participants were interviewed by the pre-final medical students through house-to-house survey using a pretested structured questionnaire. The questionnaire included the variables such as socio demographic profile, mobile phone usage and pattern, selected health problems, perceived benefits and threats and blood pressure. Selected health problems included headache, earache, neck pain, tinnitus, painful fingers, restlessness, morning tiredness, tingling fingers, fatigue, eye symptoms, sleep disturbance and hypertension.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Only 2054 were included for data analysis using SPSS 17 version. Proportions were calculated. Chi-square test was used to measure the p-value. The p-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS

The prevalence of mobile phone usage was 70%. Calling facility (94.2%) was used more than the SMS (67.6%). Health problems like headache, earache, tinnitus, painful fingers and restlessness etc., were found to be positively associated with mobile phone usage. There was negative association between hypertension and mobile phone usage.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of mobile phone usage was high. There was significant association between selected health problems and mobile phone usage. In future, higher studies are required to confirm our findings.