Abstract:

Introduction;
The aim of this work was to map the daily use of mobile devices emitting high-frequency electromagnetic radiation, as their use has a significant rise and consequently has a negative impact on human health (biological, social, psychological). The authors have conducted an educational survey using an online questionnaire indicating the use of mobile devices by the current Slovak population. These results confirm the growing trend in the use of mobile devices.

Material and methods:
The research sample consisted of 150 participants of different sex and age. The questionnaire was divided into three parts:
• the form of use of mobile devices (texts, calls, music, videos, educational applications, GPS navigation),
• the total time of mobile communications per day,
• the knowledge of the negative effects of mobile communications on human health.

Results:
According to the results of the questionnaire analysis, respondents spend an average of 5 hours a day using mobile devices, only 8 percent of respondents do not call at all, while 56 percent have at least one call a day, usually within 15 minutes, and 36 percent phone calls lasted longer up to 2 hours.
Respondents have labelled a degree from 0 (no influence) to 10 (significant influence) on a scale that corresponds to the health risk associated with the use of mobile devices. The survey showed an average of 6.7, confirming that users were aware of the negative impact of electromagnetic radiation on their health.

Conclusion:
Mobile devices are becoming increasingly popular. Because people spend a lot of time every day with mobile devices near them, it is very important to have sufficient information about the negative impact of electromagnetic radiation on the human body. Among other things, mobile devices enable access to social networks through the Internet. Social networks are unlimited platforms with a variety of options and represent a waste of time. Consequently, it is also necessary to think about their social and mental influence. All the above-mentioned aspects are of particular significance to human life.
The results of the questionnaire analysis could be used as a background for the innovation of the medical curriculum. Medical students should be familiar with the potential health risks of high-frequency electromagnetic fields produced by mobile devices and the methods of protecting against their negative health effects.

Acknowledgement: This contribution was supported by GP KEGA MESRS SR № 023UK–4/2021 “Implementation of the latest scientific knowledge about the health risks of electromagnetic fields into modern medical education “.

Keywords:

Electromagnetic radiation, mobile device, human health, medical education.