Smartphone Addiction and its Association with Insomnia among Undergraduate Medical Students in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital of Eastern India A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Background: The exponential growth of smartphone technology has significantly impacted medical education and the well-being of students. While serving as an academic resource, excessive use can lead to addiction and disrupted sleep patterns. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of smartphone addiction among undergraduate medical students at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital and evaluate its association with sleep cycle disturbances.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between January and February 2026 among 409 MBBS students selected via stratified random sampling. Smartphone addiction was assessed using the Smartphone Addiction Scale – Short Version (SAS-SV), and sleep quality was measured using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Data were analyzed to identify demographic risk factors and associations between usage patterns and insomnia.

Results: The prevalence of smartphone addiction was 44.5% (n=182), while 65.8% (n=269) of students suffered from insomnia. A strong positive association was found: 56.5% of addicted students experienced clinically significant insomnia compared to 21.4% of non-addicted students. Addiction risk was higher in males (53.1%) than females (30.3%) and highest among students perceiving themselves as having a "poor" socioeconomic status (61.1%). Peak smartphone usage occurred between 6 pm and 12 am for 65% of the cohort.

Conclusion: Smartphone addiction is a significant risk factor for poor sleep hygiene among medical students. These findings highlight an urgent need for institutional interventions, including digital literacy programs and the promotion of strict bedtime routines to mitigate health and academic risks.