Factors Associated with Smartphone Addiction among Students of Islamic University in Uganda: A Cross-Sectional Study

BackgroundSmartphone addiction is an emerging public health concern among university students in sub-Saharan Africa. Limited data exist on its prevalence and associated factors in Uganda. ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of smartphone addiction and its associated sociodemographic and economic factors among students at Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU). MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 287 undergraduate students at IUIU Kampala campus. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire incorporating the Smartphone Addiction Scale Short Version (SAS-SV). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed using modified Poisson regression. ResultsThe prevalence of smartphone addiction was 76.7% (95% CI: 71.4 to 81.2). Female students were 1.16 times more likely to be addicted than male students (APR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.32). Students who spent more time on smartphones than on academic revision were 1.33 times more likely to be addicted (95% CI: 1.11 to 1.61). Those using smartphones for five or more hours daily were 1.32 times more likely to be addicted (95% CI: 1.02 to 1.48). ConclusionSmartphone addiction is highly prevalent at IUIU. Female gender and prolonged daily screen time are significant independent predictors. Targeted digital wellness programmes and institutional policy interventions are urgently needed.