Mobile Phone Addiction and Its Relationship to Sleep Quality and Academic Performance of Medical Students of University of Lahore

Abstract

Background: Excessive mobile phone use among university students has emerged as a growing behavioral concern, with potential implications for academic performance and sleep quality. While previous studies suggest adverse outcomes, data remain limited within the context of medical education in South Asia, particularly among Pakistani students. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of mobile phone addiction and examine its relationship with sleep quality and academic performance among medical students at the University of Lahore, hypothesizing that higher addiction levels would correlate with poorer sleep and academic outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 155 undergraduate medical students using a validated questionnaire comprising the Mobile Phone Addiction Index (MPAI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and an academic performance self-rating scale. Participants were selected through convenience sampling, and data were analyzed using SPSS v25. Pearson correlations and independent samples t-tests were applied, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the University of Lahore, in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Results: Mobile phone addiction was present in 66.5% of students. A significant negative correlation was found between addiction and academic performance (r = –0.187, p = 0.020), but no significant association with sleep quality (r = –0.022, p = 0.031). Addicted students had lower academic scores (mean difference = –4.22, p = 0.018). Conclusion: Mobile phone addiction is prevalent among medical students and significantly associated with reduced academic performance, underscoring the need for behavioral interventions and academic counseling in healthcare education settings.