Community narratives on Facebook regarding mobile phone use while driving and road policing technologies

In spite of rapid worldwide increase in mobile phone use and public concerns about associated potential health effects, little is known about patterns of mobile phone ownership and use in the general population and among children. In April 2005, we conducted a survey of mobile phone ownership and use among fourth grade school children in three Hungarian cities. From 24 schools, 1301 student filled out a short, self-administered questionnaire on basic demographics, mobile phone ownership, pattern of mobile phone use, and after-school activities. Overall, 989 students (76%) owned a mobile phone. Three hundred thirteen students (24%) used a mobile phone daily to make phone calls, and an additional 427 students (33%) used mobile phones for phone calls at least several times per week. Sixty-six students (5%) sent text messages daily and an additional 308 students (24%) sent text messages at least several times per week. Girls, children with no siblings, children who were members of a sport club, and children who played computer games daily were more likely to own and use mobile phones regularly. A higher number of socially disadvantaged children in a class predicted lower likelihood of regular mobile phone use among children. Our results suggest that mobile phone ownership and regular use is highly prevalent among school children in Hungary. Due to rapid changes in ownership patterns follow up surveys will be required to obtain information on temporal trends and changes in mobile phone ownership and pattern of use among school children.

BackgroundThere is a 60% survival gap between children diagnosed with cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and those in high-income countries. Low caregiver knowledge about childhood cancer and its treatment results in presentation delays and subsequent treatment abandonment in LMICs. However, in-person education to improve caregiver knowledge can be challenging due to health worker shortages and inadequate training. Due to the rapid expansion of mobile phone use worldwide, mobile health (mHealth) technologies offer an alternative to delivering in-person education.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to assess patterns of mobile phone ownership and use among Tanzanian caregivers of children diagnosed with cancer as well as their acceptability of an mHealth intervention for cancer education, patient communication, and care coordination.MethodsIn July 2017, caregivers of children <18 years diagnosed with cancer and receiving treatment at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) were surveyed to determine mobile phone ownership, use patterns, technology literacy, and acceptability of mobile phone use for cancer education, patient communication, and care coordination. Descriptive statistics were generated from the survey data by using mean and SD values for continuous variables and percentages for binary or categorical variables.ResultsAll eligible caregivers consented to participate and completed the survey. Of the 40 caregivers who enrolled in the study, most used a mobile phone (n=34, 85%) and expressed high acceptability in using these devices to communicate with a health care provider regarding treatment support (n=39, 98%), receiving laboratory results (n=37, 93%), receiving reminders for upcoming appointments (n=38, 95%), and receiving educational information on cancer (n=35, 88%). Although only 9% (3/34) of mobile phone owners owned phones with smartphone capabilities, about 74% (25/34) self-reported they could view and read SMS text messages.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first study to assess patterns of mobile phone ownership and use among caregivers of children with cancer in Tanzania. The high rate of mobile phone ownership and caregiver acceptability for a mobile phone–based education and communication strategy suggests that a mobile phone–based intervention, particularly one that utilizes SMS technology, could be feasible in this setting.

This paper investigates the odds ratios for mobile phone use when driving for a sample of vehicles from fleets in the USA, UK, and New Zealand, employing a similar protocol to that used by Hickman, Hanowski &amp; Bocanegra (2010). The event data was collected from vehicles of various types, ranging from commercial to private vehicles. Vehicles used the SmartDrive in-vehicle camera and telematics systems to record video, audio, location and speed information in response to kinematic triggers. Data was reviewed at SmartDrive by trained observers and coded for the safety criticality of the event (safety critical event (SCE) vs. baseline epoch (BE)) and the associated factors observed over the time-course of the event. The SmartDrive dataset comprised a total of 103,264 epochs recorded from the start of April 2012 until mid-October 2013 and was evaluated by SmartDrive expert reviewers. Of this total number of epochs, 14,097 were classified as SCEs and 89,167 as BEs. SmartDrive provided data on the incidence of events and associated factors to TRL for further analysis, particularly for tasks relating to mobile phone use. Similar to the findings of Hickman, Hanowski &amp; Bocanegra (2010), handsfree mobile phone use was associated with a significant odds ratio of less than one for the occurrence of a SCE. In contrast to the findings of Hickman et al. (2010), results from this investigation revealed that both handheld mobile phone use and manual interaction with the mobile phone (texting/dialling) were also associated with a significant odds ratio of less than one. These results are used to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the use of naturalistic driving data, the method of classification employed by trained observers, and the use of odds ratios as an approach for investigating the effects of engagement in secondary tasks while driving has on driver behaviour and driving performance.

The million dollar question

The use of mobile phones and the risk of brain tumors among children and adolescents

Although a review of the recent literature found that the evidence for a causal association between mobile phone use while driving and crash related injuries was not clear cut, with...

The relationship between neuroticism and mobile phone use is a hot research topic in the academic community. The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of self-emotional assessment and love status in the mechanism through which college students’ neuroticism influences mobile phone use.We construct a moderated mediation model, and taking 869 Chinese college students as the research object and testing the mediating role of self-emotional assessment and the moderating role of love status. The results show that: (1) neuroticism was significantly positively related to mobile phone use and significantly negatively related to self-emotional assessment; self-emotional assessment was significantly positively related to mobile phone use; (2) self-emotional assessment had a masking effect on the relationship between neuroticism and mobile phone use; (3) love status not only moderated the relationship between self-emotional assessment and mobile phone use but also moderated the process through which self-emotional assessment masked the effect of neuroticism on mobile phone use. Our research expands the literature on the mechanisms underlying the effects of neuroticism on mobile phone use, enriches the understanding of the pertinent boundary conditions, and provides a better explanatory basis for the mobile phone use of college students.

Background: Malaria remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among pregnant women. Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are an effective preventive measure; however, their use in Guinea remains below the World Health Organization’s recommended threshold of at least 80%. At the same time, the rapid expansion of information and communication technologies, particularly mobile phones and the Internet, provides new opportunities to promote positive health behaviors. Nevertheless, little is known about the influence of these technologies on ITN use among pregnant women in Guinea. This study aimed to assess the association between mobile phone and Internet use and ITN utilization among pregnant women. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted based on secondary analysis of data from the 2021 Guinea Malaria and Anemia Indicator Survey (EIPAG). The study population included women aged 15–49 years who had given birth within the three years preceding the survey. Data analyses were performed using R software version 4.1.3 to describe the sample, conduct bivariate analyses, logistic regression, and regression tree modeling to identify predictive factors. Results: Among the participants, 2,225 women (57%) reported sleeping under an ITN the night before the survey. After adjustment, mobile phone use (73%) and Internet use (24%) were not significantly associated with ITN utilization. In contrast, several factors were significantly associated with higher ITN use, including higher parity (OR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.17–1.76 for 2–5 children and OR = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.32–2.24 for ≥6 children), attending at least four antenatal care visits (OR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.17–1.73), access to radio (OR = 1.25; 95% CI: 1.07–1.45), and receiving malaria prevention messages (OR = 1.53; 95% CI: 1.32–1.77). Conversely, large household size and an indirect relationship to the household head were associated with lower ITN use. Conclusion: Mobile phone and internet use had no significant influence on ITN utilization among pregnant women in Guinea. Factors such as household size, relationship to the household head, access to radio, parity, and number of ANC visits were significant predictors of ITN use. Strengthening programs aimed at improving ANC attendance, enhancing radio access, and intensifying media campaigns are recommended to optimize ITN utilization among pregnant women.

BackgroundMobile phones are potential digital technologies for accessing family planning self-care interventions. However, their utilization could be possible if women of reproductive age have positive attitudes towards the use of this technology for healthcare purposes. This study aimed to examine the relationship between attitudes towards the use of mobile phones and access to family planning self-care interventions among female market vendors of reproductive age in northern Uganda.MethodsA cross-sectional survey design was used. Two hundred and five randomly selected female vendors from the Gulu city main market participated. A structured researcher-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. Descriptive statistics and standard multiple regression were performed, and the data were analysed using SPSS software version 15.ResultsOf the 205 participants, 112 (54.6%) reported using smartphones, and 147 (71.7%) were aware of family planning self-care interventions. Participants had moderate attitudes towards access to family planning self-care interventions (mean = 3.18), positive attitudes towards ease of use (mean = 3.31) and usefulness of mobile phones (mean = 3.30), strong positive attitudes towards privacy (mean = 4.04), and skills associated with using mobile phones (mean = 4.04). Furthermore, significant positive relationships existed between ease of use (p value = 0.000), skills (p value = 0.001), privacy (p value = 0.002) and access to family planning self-care interventions. There was, however, an insignificant positive relationship between mobile phone usefulness and access to family planning self-care interventions (p value = 0.189).ConclusionsParticipants’ positive attitudes towards the use of mobile phones could lead to access to FP self-care interventions, although uncertainty about the usefulness of the use of mobile phones for accessing FP self-care interventions exists. It is therefore important for healthcare practitioners, health development partners and the government to encourage and integrate the use of mHealth into regular FP self-care services and promotional activities while targeting underserved communities in Uganda.

The effects of radiofrequency exposure on cognition: A systematic review and meta-analysis of human observational studies

We previously conducted a case-control study of acoustic neuroma. Subjects of both genders aged 20–80 years, diagnosed during 1997–2003 in parts of Sweden, were included, and the results were published. We have since made a further study for the time period 2007–2009 including both men and women aged 18–75 years selected from throughout the country. These new results for acoustic neuroma have not been published to date. Similar methods were used for both study periods. In each, one population-based control, matched on gender and age (within five years), was identified from the Swedish Population Registry. Exposures were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire supplemented by a phone interview. Since the number of acoustic neuroma cases in the new study was low we now present pooled results from both study periods based on 316 participating cases and 3,530 controls. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was performed, adjusting for age, gender, year of diagnosis and socio-economic index (SEI). Use of mobile phones of the analogue type gave odds ratio (OR) = 2.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.0–4.3, increasing with >20 years latency (time since first exposure) to OR = 7.7, 95% CI = 2.8–21. Digital 2G mobile phone use gave OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1–2.1, increasing with latency >15 years to an OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 0.8–4.2. The results for cordless phone use were OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1–2.1, and, for latency of >20 years, OR = 6.5, 95% CI = 1.7–26. Digital type wireless phones (2G and 3G mobile phones and cordless phones) gave OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.1–2.0 increasing to OR = 8.1, 95% CI = 2.0–32 with latency >20 years. For total wireless phone use, the highest risk was calculated for the longest latency time >20 years: OR = 4.4, 95% CI = 2.2–9.0. Several of the calculations in the long latency category were based on low numbers of exposed cases. Ipsilateral use resulted in a higher risk than contralateral for both mobile and cordless phones. OR increased per 100 h cumulative use and per year of latency for mobile phones and cordless phones, though the increase was not statistically significant for cordless phones. The percentage tumour volume increased per year of latency and per 100 h of cumulative use, statistically significant for analogue phones. This study confirmed previous results demonstrating an association between mobile and cordless phone use and acoustic neuroma.

The emergence of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has led to an increased adoption and use of mobile phones, even by rural farmers, for agribusinesses. Scanty studies, however, have focused on the use and influence of mobile phones for agribusiness in Nigeria. Therefore, this study investigated how farmers in Southwest Nigeria use mobile phones for agribusiness, the benefits of the use of mobile phones, and the challenges the farmers face using the device. Driven by theory of Information and Communication Technology for Development, this study adopted Survey and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) methods. While Stratified, Simple Random, Purposive and Convenience sampling techniques were employed to select the sample, questionnaire and FGD guide were used to collect data. For agribusiness, the mostly used mobile phone feature by farmers is radio (75.9%) while the mostly deployed phone service is voice call (83.4%). Mobile phone use contributed to increase in farmers’ income, reduction in transaction and transportation costs, and increase in farm productivity. However, epileptic electricity supply hinders the effective use of mobile phones for agribusiness. Infrastructural facilities, especially electricity, should be provided in the rural areas to enable farmers use mobile phones effectively for agribusiness activities and ensure sustainable agricultural development.

Background/Aims Mobile phone use is increasing globally, with Kenya having increased use in rural and urban areas. Despite the widespread use of mobile phones, their use in health delivery services, such as to enhance postnatal care attendance, is low. Kenya is exploring interventions such as the use of mobile health to improve uptake. This study aimed to determine mobile phone use among postnatal mothers in Kakamega County, Kenya. Methods This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using quantitative data. It was carried out among 240 postnatal mothers in Kakamega County. Systematic sampling was used to recruit the participants from three hospitals and data were collected using questionnaires. Data were analysed using the Chi squared test to determine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and perceptions of mobile phone use to improve postnatal care attendance. Results The majority of participants (87.0%) owned a mobile phone. Over half (53.0%) used their mobile phone many times a day, with 61.0% sending SMS many times a day and 65.0% making voice calls many times a day. Almost all participants (93.0%) said they would recommend the use of an SMS or voice call service for postnatal care attendance to their friends. Frequency of mobile phone use (P=0.000), SMS use (P=0.042) and voice call use (P=0.007) were all significantly associated with perception of mobile phone use to improve postnatal care attendance, as was antenatal care visits (P=0.005). Conclusions The majority of participants owned mobile phones and felt positive about mobile phone use to improve postnatal care. The county government of Kakamega should integrate mobile phone technology with the delivery of postnatal services to improve attendance.

The study was sought to determine the impact of mobile phone use on students’ moral and learning behaviour. The study was descriptive in nature. Nineteen principals, 113 subject specialist and 114 secondary school teachers serving in 19 Government Higher Secondary School constituted the population of the study. Out of the total population 19 principals, 100 subject specialist and 76 secondary school teachers were randomly selected as a sample of the study. A closed ended questionnaire was developed containing 30 items with based on Likert scale related to the objectives of the study. The data were organized, analyzed, and interpreted by using frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. To test the hypotheses, chi-square technique was used. Findings of the study revealed that mobile phone use did not promote morality among students. Students using mobile phone did not give respect to teachers. Mobile phone use did not inculcate optimism in students’ thoughts. Students using mobile phone are not punctual. students having mobile phone are not obedient. Students using mobile phone are impatient. students using mobile phone did not follow classroom rules. students use mobile phone for whole day and night. students using mobile phone are not careful. using mobile phone did not give time to his brothers and sisters. mobile phone use badly affects students’ dignity. students using mobile phone develop the habit of cheating in exam. students using mobile phone are not taking interest in their classes. Students’ using mobile phone never complete their assignment on time. students using mobile phone did not take active part in classroom activities. students’ having mobile phone did not take good grades in internal exams. students’ having mobile phone often failed in external exams. It was recommended that measures may be taken to prohibit bringing mobile phones in the premises of school. A request may also be made to the parents to have a strong check on it at home. mobile phone may completely be banned on students

30 - A Study of Conversation Performance Using Mobile Phones while Driving