Analysis of ear side of mobile phone use in the general population of Japan

Abstract

Analysis of ear side of mobile phone use in the general population of Japan Sato Y, Kojimahara N, Taki M, Yamaguchi N. Analysis of ear side of mobile phone use in the general population of Japan.Bioelectromagnetics. 2018 Jan;39(1):53-59. doi: 10.1002/bem.22098. Abstract This study aimed to clarify the distribution of the ear side of mobile phone use in the general population of Japan and clarify what factors are associated with the ear side of mobile phone use. Children at elementary and junior high schools (n = 2,518) and adults aged ≥20 years (n = 1,529) completed an Internet-based survey. Data were subjected to a logistic regression analysis. In children, due to the tendency to use the dominant hand, we analyzed the factors associated with the use of right ear in right-handed people. Statistically significant differences were observed only in talk time per call (odds ratio (OR) = 2.17; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.22- 3.99). In adults, due to the tendency to use the left ear, we analyzed factors associated with the use of left ear in right-handed people. Significant differences were observed in those aged 30-39 years (OR = 2.55; 95% CI: 1.79- 3.68), those aged 40-49 years (OR = 3.08; 95% CI: 2.15-4.43), those aged >50 years (OR = 1.85; 95% CI: 1.20- 2.85), and in those with a percentage of total talk time when using mobile phones at work of 51-100% (OR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.21-2.55). We believe that future epidemiological studies on mobile phone use can be improved by considering the trends in mobile phone use identified in this study ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

AI evidence extraction

Main findings

In children (analysis restricted to right-handed participants), a statistically significant association with using the right ear was observed only for talk time per call (OR=2.17; 95% CI: 1.22–3.99). In adults (analysis restricted to right-handed participants), factors associated with using the left ear included age groups 30–39 (OR=2.55), 40–49 (OR=3.08), >50 (OR=1.85), and having 51–100% of total talk time at work (OR=1.75).

Outcomes measured

• Ear side of mobile phone use (right vs left)
• Factors associated with ear side of mobile phone use (e.g., talk time per call, age group, work-related phone use)

Limitations

• Internet-based survey (self-reported mobile phone use/ear side)
• Analyses restricted to right-handed participants for children and adults (as described)

{
    "study_type": "cross_sectional",
    "exposure": {
        "band": "RF",
        "source": "mobile phone",
        "frequency_mhz": null,
        "sar_wkg": null,
        "duration": null
    },
    "population": "Children at elementary and junior high schools in Japan and adults aged ≥20 years in Japan (internet-based survey respondents)",
    "sample_size": 4047,
    "outcomes": [
        "Ear side of mobile phone use (right vs left)",
        "Factors associated with ear side of mobile phone use (e.g., talk time per call, age group, work-related phone use)"
    ],
    "main_findings": "In children (analysis restricted to right-handed participants), a statistically significant association with using the right ear was observed only for talk time per call (OR=2.17; 95% CI: 1.22–3.99). In adults (analysis restricted to right-handed participants), factors associated with using the left ear included age groups 30–39 (OR=2.55), 40–49 (OR=3.08), >50 (OR=1.85), and having 51–100% of total talk time at work (OR=1.75).",
    "effect_direction": "unclear",
    "limitations": [
        "Internet-based survey (self-reported mobile phone use/ear side)",
        "Analyses restricted to right-handed participants for children and adults (as described)"
    ],
    "evidence_strength": "low",
    "confidence": 0.7399999999999999911182158029987476766109466552734375,
    "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
    "keywords": [
        "mobile phone",
        "ear side",
        "laterality",
        "handedness",
        "talk time",
        "internet survey",
        "Japan",
        "logistic regression"
    ],
    "suggested_hubs": []
}

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