Impact of Mobile Phone Usage on Sleep Quality Among Medical Students Across Latin America: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND The ubiquitous use of mobile phones among medical students has been linked to potential health consequences, including poor sleep quality. OBJECTIVE This study investigates the prevalence of mobile phone addiction and its association with sleep quality among medical students across six Latin American countries. METHODS A descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted from December 2023 to March 2024 using a self-administered online survey. The survey included the Mobile Phone Addiction Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess addiction rates and sleep quality among 1,677 medical students from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, and Peru. RESULTS Approximately 32.5% of participants exhibited mobile phone addiction, with significant variations between countries. The overall mean PSQI score was 7.26, indicating poor sleep quality. Higher addiction rates were associated with worse sleep quality across all PSQI components (p < 0.05). Regression analysis highlighted a strong association between mobile phone addiction and poorer sleep, controlled for demographic variables (Beta=1.40; (95%CI: 1.05 - 1.74).This study underscores a significant prevalence of mobile phone addiction among medical students and its detrimental association with sleep quality in Latin America. The findings advocate for the need to address mobile phone usage to mitigate its negative implications on student health and academic performance. Strategies to enhance digital literacy and promote healthier usage habits could benefit medical education and student well-being. CONCLUSIONS This study underscores a significant prevalence of mobile phone addiction among medical students and its detrimental association with sleep quality in Latin America. The findings advocate for the need to address mobile phone usage to mitigate its negative implications on student health and academic performance. Strategies to enhance digital literacy and promote healthier usage habits could benefit medical education and student well-being.