A Comparative Analysis of Nomophobia and Social Media Addiction Among Medical and Non-Medical Undergraduates in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
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Abstract
Objective: Nomophobia and social media addiction are prevalent, interrelated conditions driven by the psychological need for constant connectivity. Their impact on the mental well-being and academic performance of high-stress populations like medical students requires urgent investigation. Design & Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate medical students using a structured online questionnaire. Data were collected using validated scales: the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q), the Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).Results: This study reveals a high prevalence of nomophobia among students at both ANIIMS and JNRM in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with less than 2% of participants reporting no symptoms. JNRM students exhibited a broader spread across severity levels, including higher proportions of severe nomophobia, whereas ANIIMS students were predominantly in the moderate category. Conclusions: In conclusion, this study confirms the high prevalence of nomophobia among students in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while revealing key inter-institutional differences. The JNRM cohort, characterized by heavier usage, showed a greater tendency toward severe nomophobia and poorer sleep quality compared to ANIIMS.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Dr Samar Hossain, Dr Aanchal Anand, Dr Gayathri Ponath Sukumaran, Dr Ajay Raj
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Creative Commons License All articles published in Annals of Medicine and Medical Sciences are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Dr Samar Hossain, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, ANIIMS, Sri Vijaya Puram, Port Blair, India.
Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, ANIIMS, Sri Vijaya Puram, Port Blair, India.
Dr Aanchal Anand, Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, ANIIMS, Sri Vijaya Puram, Port Blair, India.
Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, ANIIMS, Sri Vijaya Puram, Port Blair, India.
Dr Gayathri Ponath Sukumaran, Senior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, ANIIMS, Sri Vijaya Puram, Port Blair, India.
Senior Resident, Department of Community Medicine, ANIIMS, Sri Vijaya Puram, Port Blair, India.
Dr Ajay Raj, Professor & Head, Department of Community Medicine, ANIIMS, Sri Vijaya Puram, Port Blair, India.
Professor & Head, Department of Community Medicine, ANIIMS, Sri Vijaya Puram, Port Blair, India.
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