Self-report of physical symptoms associated with using mobile phones and other electrical devices.

Full Abstract

The aim of our work was to study the working-age population's self-reported physical symptoms associated with using mobile phones and other electrical devices. A qualitative method was applied using an open-ended question in a questionnaire, which included questions about the possible influence of new technical equipment on health. We then created subgroups of respondents for different self-reported symptoms associated with mobile phones and other electrical devices. The research questions were: (1) how the respondents described physical symptoms associated with using mobile phones and other electrical devices and (2) how the answers can be classified into subgroups based on symptoms or devices. We identified the following categories: (1) respondents with different self-reported symptoms which they associated with using mobile phones (headache, earache, or warmth sensations), (2) respondents who had skin symptoms when they stayed in front of a computer screen, (3) respondents who mentioned physical symptoms associated with using mobile phones and other electrical devices. Total prevalence of self-reported physical symptoms associated with using mobile phones and other electrical devices (categories 1 and 2) was 0.7%. In the future it will be possible to obtain new knowledge of these topics by using qualitative methods.

Author information

Author/s: Korpinen, Leena H (LH); Pääkkönen, Rauno J (RJ);

Affiliation: Environmental Health, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland. leena.korpinen(-atsign-)tut.fi

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Bioelectromagnetics (Bioelectromagnetics), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 30 (issue 6) : pp 431-7

Dates: Created 2009/07/30; Completed 2009/10/06;

PMID: 19399784, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/6/2009, IMS Date: )

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