Screen Time, Health Implications and University Students Awareness in Nigeria

Our study examined Undergraduate students’ awareness of the health implications associated with the use of screen devices. We sought to determine the extent to which university students in Southeast Nigeria expose themselves to electronic screen–based devices; the possible factors influencing the students’ level of exposure to the devices; ascertain the possible health implications associated with the students’ exposure to the devices; establish the undergraduate students’ level of awareness of health implications associated with exposure to screen-based devices; and assess the students’ views on ways the health implications could be curtailed. A mixed research approach was adopted for the study. Findings generally indicate that university students in Southeast Nigeria spend amazing amount of time on ‘screen-based devices’ (computers, phones, video games, television), which have become an essential part of their life. Also, these students have a high level of awareness of the possible health implications associated with the use of screen-based devices, as most of them claim to have experienced one form of health challenge or another in the course of using the devices. Therefore the study recommended that relevant government agencies and Non Governmental Organizations as well as the media should educate people in order to create awareness on certain precautionary measures users of screen-based devices need to take to reduce the health risks they may likely face in the cause of utilizing screen-based devices.