Abstract. [Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of smartphones by university students
in selected areas, their musculoskeletal symptoms, and the associated hazard ratio. [Subjects and Methods] This
involved the completion of a self-administered questionnaire by dental hygiene students in Seoul, Gyeonggido,
and Gyeongsangbukdo. The 292 completed copies of the questionnaire were then analyzed. [Results] The most
painful body regions after the use of smartphones were found to be the shoulders and neck. In the musculoskeletal
system, back pain was found to have a positive correlation with the size of the smartphone’s liquid crystal display
(LCD) screen, and pain in legs and feet were found to have a negative correlation with the length of time that the
smartphone was used. As a result, it was revealed that the use of a smartphone was correlated with musculoskeletal
symptoms. [Conclusion] Therefore, in today’s environment, where the use of smartphones is on the rise, it is
necessary to improve the ways that they are used and to develop a preventive program to alleviate the symptoms of
musculoskeletal damage.
Key words: Smartphone, Musculoskeletal symptoms, Prevent