Smartphone usage time and related health conditions in older people during the COVID-19 pandemic

Resumo Objetivo Avaliar o tempo de uso do smartphone e as condições de saúde relacionadas em idosos durante a pandemia da covid-19. Método Trata-se de estudo transversal com 237 idosos (≥60 anos) brasileiros, realizado entre junho e agosto de 2020. Responderam a um formulário on-line para obtenção das seguintes variáveis: perfil socioeconômico, condições de saúde e uso do smartphone. Análises bivariada e multivariada foram realizadas pelo programa SPSS, tendo como desfecho tempo de uso do smartphone. Resultados Do total, 69,2% (n=164) eram do sexo feminino, 48,5% (n=115) queixavam-se de dor cervical, 57,4% (n=136) tinham incapacidade cervical e permaneciam 6,2 horas por dia sentados na semana. Cerca de 54,4% (n=129) relataram aumento do uso do smartphone nos últimos meses, passando 4,2 horas/dia. Os idosos mais novos (p=0,038), não praticantes de atividade física (p=0,001), com avaliação de saúde boa (p=0,009) e maior tempo sentado (p=0,011) permaneciam mais tempo usando o dispositivo. Conclusão Devido ao uso do smartphone durante a pandemia da covid-19 associado a maior tempo sentado e ao sedentarismo alerta-se para as repercussões negativas na saúde física e mental dos idosos. Abstract Objective To evaluate smartphone usage time and related health conditions in older people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method This is a cross-sectional study of 237 older people (aged ≥60 years) Brazilians, carried out between June and August 2020. An online form was used to obtain the following variables: socio-economic profile, health status, and smartphone usage. Bivariate and multivariate analyzes were performed using the SPSS program with the outcome of smartphone usage time. Results Of the study individuals, 69.2% (n=164) were females, 48.5% (n=115) complained of cervical pain, 57.4% (n=136) had a cervical disability and remained 6.2 hours a day in the sitting position per week. Approximately 54.4% (n=129) reported increased smartphone usage in the past few months, reporting 4.2 hours of usage/day. Younger senior individuals (p=0.038), who did not practice physical activities (p=0.001), with good health assessment (p=0.009) and who spent more extended periods in the sitting position (p=0.011) spent more time using the device. Conclusion Considering the smartphone usage during the COVID-19 pandemic associated with more extended periods in the sitting position and a sedentary lifestyle, it is worth mentioning its adverse effects on the physical and mental health of older people.