Prevalence and Correlates of Nomophobia and Insomnia Among Health Sciences Students: Evidence From a Cross-Sectional...

Nomophobia is a behavioral condition characterized by fear or anxiety resulting from inability to access mobile phones. Excessive smartphone use has been associated with psychological and sleep-related disturbances. University students, particularly health sciences students, may be especially vulnerable due to academic stress and high digital exposure.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of nomophobia and insomnia symptoms among health sciences students and to assess the association between nomophobia severity and insomnia symptom severity.

A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among undergraduate health sciences students at Batterjee Medical College (BMC), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a structured electronic questionnaire including sociodemographic variables, the Nomophobia Questionnaire (NMP-Q), and the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). A total of 702 participants were included. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, Spearman's rank correlation, and binary logistic regression analysis were performed.

The mean nomophobia score was 77.21 ± 31.7. Overall, 96.6% of participants demonstrated nomophobia, with moderate nomophobia being the most prevalent category (45.3%), followed by severe nomophobia (26.1%). The mean insomnia score was 10.86 ± 5.7, and 71.4% of participants exhibited elevated insomnia symptoms, predominantly at the subthreshold level (46.3%). A statistically significant association was observed between nomophobia and insomnia symptoms (p < 0.001). Using continuous total scores, a weak positive correlation was identified between nomophobia severity and insomnia symptom severity (Spearman's ρ = 0.290, p < 0.001). Female gender was significantly associated with higher nomophobia prevalence (p = 0.014). In multivariable logistic regression analysis treating nomophobia as a continuous predictor, each 10-point increase in NMP-Q score was associated with significantly higher adjusted odds of insomnia symptoms (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-1.27, p < 0.001) after adjustment for sociodemographic factors.

Nomophobia and insomnia symptoms are highly prevalent among health sciences students. A weak but statistically significant association was observed; however, the cross-sectional design and convenience sampling warrant cautious interpretation. These findings highlight the need for interventions promoting healthy smartphone use and sleep hygiene.