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Internet Use Impact on Physical Health during COVID-19 Lockdown in Bangladesh: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Tanvir Abir

    (School of Business, Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Dhaka 1208, Bangladesh)

  • Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu

    (Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
    African Vision Research Institute (AVRI), Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 3629, South Africa)

  • Dewan Muhammad Nur-A Yazdani

    (Research Associate, Creative Research & Consultancy, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh)

  • Abdullah Al Mamun

    (Faculty of Business and Management, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia)

  • Kaniz Kakon

    (Department of Philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences—CAAS, International University of Business Agriculture and Technology—IUBAT University, Dhaka 1230, Bangladesh)

  • Anas A. Salamah

    (Department of Management Information Systems, College of Business Administration, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, 165, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia)

  • Noor Raihani Zainol

    (Faculty of Entrepreneurship and Business, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Kota Bharu 16100, Malaysia)

  • Mansura Khanam

    (International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (Icddrb), GPO BOX 128, 68, Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmed Sarani, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh)

  • Kingsley Emwinyore Agho

    (Translational Health Research Institute (THRI), School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia
    African Vision Research Institute (AVRI), Westville Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 3629, South Africa
    School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia)

Abstract

Previous studies on internet use frequency were focused on mental health impact, with little known about the impact on physical health during the COVID-19 lockdown. This study examined the impact of internet use frequency on self-reported physical health during the COVID-19 lockdown in Bangladesh. A web-based cross-sectional study on 3242 individuals was conducted from 2 August–1 October 2020. The survey covered demographics, internet use frequency and self-reported physical health questions. Linear regression analyses were used to examine the impact of internet use frequency on physical health. 72.5%, 69.9%, 65.1% and 55.3% respondents reported headache, back pain, numbness of the fingers and neck pain, respectively. The analyses showed increased physical health impact among regular (coefficient β = 0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18–0.85, p = 0.003), frequent (β = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.88–1.54, p < 0.001) and intense (β = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.91–2.57, p < 0.001) internet users. Other important predictors were gender, income, occupation, regions, and working status. Frequent and extensive uses of the internet were strong predictors of physical health problems, and our findings suggest the need for increased awareness about the physical health problems that can be triggered by excessive internet usage.

Suggested Citation

  • Tanvir Abir & Uchechukwu Levi Osuagwu & Dewan Muhammad Nur-A Yazdani & Abdullah Al Mamun & Kaniz Kakon & Anas A. Salamah & Noor Raihani Zainol & Mansura Khanam & Kingsley Emwinyore Agho, 2021. "Internet Use Impact on Physical Health during COVID-19 Lockdown in Bangladesh: A Web-Based Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-11, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:20:p:10728-:d:655606
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lutfun Nahar Lata & Peter Walters & Sonia Roitman, 2021. "The politics of gendered space: Social norms and purdah affecting female informal work in Dhaka, Bangladesh," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 318-336, January.
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