Usage of Electronic Gadgets on Sleep Quality and Physical Activity Levels Among Undergraduate Nursing Students in...

The rapid increase in the use of electronic gadgets has markedly transformed the lifestyle patterns of young adults. These devices have become indispensable tools for communication, academic learning, and leisure activities. However, excessive use of electronic gadgets-particularly during evening hours and before bedtime-has been associated with disturbances in sleep patterns. Additionally, increased reliance on electronic devices (EDs) for leisure activities has contributed to reduced levels of physical activity among young adults, raising concerns about their overall health and well-being.

This study aimed to assess the extent of ED usage and explore its relationship with sleep quality and physical activity levels among undergraduate nursing students in Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka.

A cross-sectional descriptive study design was employed between January 2025 and June 2025 among undergraduate nursing students in Manipal, Udupi, Karnataka. A total of 380 students were randomly selected to participate in the study. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires, including a demographic proforma, an electronic gadget usage questionnaire, the Sleep Quality Scale (SQS), and a physical activity level questionnaire.

Statistical analysis revealed that the mean age of the participants was 19.86 ± 1.4 years, and 62.9% of the students resided in hostels. Smartphones were the most commonly used devices (59.7%), followed by the use of multiple EDs (38.9%). A substantial proportion of participants (70%) reported using electronic gadgets for multiple purposes, including academics, social communication, and entertainment, and 40.3% reported spending 3-4 h per day on non-academic screen time. The majority of respondents (91.6%) demonstrated moderate levels of electronic gadget usage, while 66.6% reported poor sleep quality. With regard to physical activity, 55% of participants exhibited low activity levels. A statistically significant weak negative correlation was observed between electronic gadget usage and sleep quality (ρ = -0.213, P < 0.001), and the correlation between electronic gadget usage and physical activity was weakly negative but not statistically significant (ρ = -0.090, P = 0.080). In contrast, a significant positive correlation was found between physical activity and sleep quality (ρ = 0.195, P < 0.001). Ordinal logistic regression showed that extreme gadget usage is associated with poor sleep quality (odds ratio [OR]-5.16; P < 0.05), and the linear regression model examining the association between electronic gadget usage and physical activity was statistically significant (R² = 0.0483, P < 0.001). The results indicated that the usage of electronic gadgets was associated with poorer sleep quality and lower levels of physical activity among students.

The findings of this study highlight the importance of adequate sleep and the need to limit ED use, particularly before bedtime, to promote better sleep quality. Encouraging increased physical activity and responsible ED usage is essential for maintaining optimal physical and mental well-being among nursing students and young adults.