International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780210112020022521932193ENDepartment of Medical Library and Information Sciences, School of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, IsfahanHealth Information Technology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, IsfahanHealth Information Technology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan20200225<p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Background</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Nomophobia, a state of socio‑psychological illness, refers to a fear of lack of access<br />to mobile phone, which is thought to be a modern age disorder that causes negative health risks<br />and harmful psychological effects. This study aimed to determine the relationship between the<br />smartphone use and nomophobia disorder among university students.</span></p><p><strong></strong><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Methods</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">The study utilized<br />a cross‑sectional method in which 320 students were selected via cluster sampling. Data collection<br />tools included a nomophobia and smartphones use questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS<br />22 software in two sections: descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Results</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">The incidence<br />rate of nomophobia among the students was moderate (3.1), and 73% of the students were moderate<br />smartphone users. Nomophobia had a significant relationship with gender, age group, and level of<br />education; and the frequency of using smartphones had a significant relationship with age group<br />and level of education. There was a positive correlation coefficient between nomophobia and the<br />frequency of using smartphones. The mobile phone use predicted nomophobia with a beta coefficient<br />of 0.402 (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">&lt; 0.05). </span></p><p><strong></strong><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Conclusions</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Given the incidence rate of nomophobia disorder was moderate,<br />it is necessary to make preventive decisions and plan educational programs in this regard for the<br />health of university students. Alternative actions are recommended for the treatment in low rate of<br />nomophobia, but drug therapy should be used in more advanced stages; therefore, it is suggested that<br />more attention to be paid to students’ free time and entertainments.<br /></span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0" style="color: #00652e;"><strong>Keywords</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle3">Addiction, Iran, nomophobia, smartphone, students</span></p>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2193http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2193/717718068