Epidemiological study (observational study)

Prevalence of headache among handheld cellular telephone users in Singapore: a community study epidem.

By: Chia SE, Chia HP, Tan JS

Published in: Environ Health Perspect 2000; 108 (11): 1059-1062

Aim of study (acc. to author)

The prevalence of specific central nervous system symptoms among cellular telephone users was investigated in a cross-sectional study in Singapore.

Further details

A mobile phone user was defined as a person who used the mobile phone at least once each day on average.

Endpoint/type of risk estimation

CNS symptoms: headache, dizziness, difficulties in concentration, loss of memory, unusual drowsiness or tiredness, sense of warmth behind or around the ear, burning sensation to the ear and face, tingling sensation to the face, and visual disturbances

Type of risk estimation:

prevalence

Exposure

- mobile communications
- digital mobile phone
- personal

Assessment

questionnaire: mobile phone use, duration per day, times per day, use of hand-free equipment

Exposure groups

Group	Description
Reference group 1	no mobile phone use
Group 2	mobile phone use
Group 3	duration per day: < 2 min
Group 4	duration per day: 2 - 60 min
Group 5	duration per day: > 60 min
Group 6	times per day: 0
Group 7	times per day: < 5
Group 8	times per day: 5 - 10
Group 9	times per day: > 10
Group 10	hand-free equipment used: never
Group 11	hand-free equipment used: some of the time
Group 12	hand-free equipment used: all of the time

Population

Group:
- men
- women
Age: 12–70 years
Characteristics: healthy Singaporeans
Observation period: January 2000
Study location: Singapore (Bishan)
Exclusion criteria: brain surgery, stroke, post-trauma headache

Study size

Type	Value
Participants	808
Participation rate	45 %

Other:

781 individuals included in analysis

Statistical analysis method:

Cox proportional regressions analysis
Chi-square test

(adjustment:

age
sex
ethnic group, use of video display terminal, and occupational group

)

Results (acc. to author)

362 individuals (44.8 %) used a mobile phone.
Headache was the most prevalent symptom among mobile phone users as compared to non-mobile phone users (60.3 % versus 54 %; adjusted prevalence rate ratio: 1.31; CI: 1.00 - 1.70). The use of mobile phone was not associated with a significant increase of CNS symptoms other than headache.

Limitations (acc. to author)

The participation rate was low and could bias the findings.

Study funded by

not stated/no funding

Comments on this article

Hocking B (2001): Prevalence of headache among handheld cellular telephone users
Chia SE et al. (2001): Prevalence of headache among handheld cellular telephone users: Response

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