Dataset Information

Use of Electronic Entertainment and Communication Devices Among a Saudi Pediatric Population: Cross-Sectional Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Excessive use of various electronic entertainment and communication devices, particularly among children, has been associated with increased behavioral problems. Despite children's escalating use of these devices, parents' awareness about the impact thereof is still lacking.

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess the use of electronic entertainment and communication devices among children attending a health care facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as well as the parental impression regarding the impact of electronic devices use on the behavior of their child.

Methods

A focused 15-item questionnaire was designed for this cross-sectional study involving mothers of children attending the Well Baby Clinic of King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from July 1, 2016 to November 30, 2016.

Results

This study included 190 mothers. The mean ages of the children, mothers, and fathers were 7.3 (SD 3.5), 35 (SD 6.5), and 43 (SD 8.3) years, respectively. Most children were of Saudi Arabian nationality (106/190, 55.8%). The most used device in this study was television (154/190, 81.0%), followed by mobile phones (134/190, 70.5%), and tablets (116/190, 61.0%). Computers were the least used device in this study (59/190, 31.0%). In total, 24.7% (47/190) of children in this study used electronic entertainment and communication devices for more than 4 hours per day. Most mothers (129/190, 67.9%) felt that their child spends too much time on electronic devices. Hyperactivity or behavioral problems were reported by 20.0% (38/190) of mothers in this study. Children spending longer hours on electronic devices were much more likely to be perceived to suffer from hyperactivity or behavioral problems (P=.01).

Conclusions

Parental awareness is necessary to counteract the harmful effects of using electronic devices for a prolonged period. Parents require help to cope with this problem effectively.

SUBMITTER: Amawi SO

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6242707 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Use of Electronic Entertainment and Communication Devices Among a Saudi Pediatric Population: Cross-Sectional Study.

Amawi Sami Omar SO Subki Ahmed Hussein AH Khatib Hazim Abdulkarim HA Alkhateeb Omer Sameer OS Fida Rida Hashim RH Saggaf Omar Mohammed OM Jan Mohammed Mohammed MM

Interactive journal of medical research 20180906 2

<h4>Background</h4>Excessive use of various electronic entertainment and communication devices, particularly among children, has been associated with increased behavioral problems. Despite children's escalating use of these devices, parents' awareness about the impact thereof is still lacking.<h4>Objective</h4>The objective of this study was to assess the use of electronic entertainment and communication devices among children attending a health care facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as well as ...[more]

PMID: 30190254

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Dataset Information

Use of Electronic Entertainment and Communication Devices Among a Saudi Pediatric Population: Cross-Sectional Study.

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Use of Electronic Entertainment and Communication Devices Among a Saudi Pediatric Population: Cross-Sectional Study.

Similar Datasets

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