THE IMPACT OF NOMOPHOBIA ON MENTAL HEALTH IN NIGERIAN SCHOOLS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Vivian Obitulata-Ugwu* MD, Ogochukwu Agazie MD, MPH, Gideon Onyebuchi Idoko MBBS, MHM, Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Administration, Samuel Alao MD, MPH., Saliu A. Shittu MD, Suraiya Roy MD, MHA, Afolarin Ishola MBBS, MPH, Olasumbo E. Fagbenle MD, Kelechi Adannaya Iwuji MD, Ted Olivier Montes MD, Chinenye Loveth Aleke BPT, Ndukaku Ogbonna MD, MS., Evaristus Chino Ezema MD, MSc, Dr. HA
ABSTRACT
Background: Nomophobia continues to attract attention around the world because of its impact on mental health. It cuts across all age groups and genders that regularly use smartphones. Nomophobia, notably under-documented in Nigeria, negatively impacts the school students and staff. Besides the declining academic performance, depression and anxiety were reported as effects of nomophobia. Addressing this issue requires urgent intervention from the Public Authority in recognizing the adverse effects of nomophobia and developing appropriate policies in Nigerian schools. Methods: We employed a structured approach to identify and review available articles on Nomophobia and mental health in Nigerian schools. We aimed to evaluate the adverse impact of nomophobia on school students and staff. Results: The results showed a high prevalence of nomophobia among the students and staff of Nigerian schools reviewed. There was a positive relationship between nomophobia, depression, and anxiety. Conclusions: It is imperative that the public health authority recognize the adverse impact, nomophobia poses to the developing young adults in Nigeria. Pro-active measures, in the form of policy development about phone usage and educational campaigns about the regulated use of smartphones in Nigerian schools are relevant.
Keywords: Impact, health, mental, Nigerian, nomophobia, schools.
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