CHRONIC FATIGUE PERCEPTION CAUSED BY GADGET USE AND POOR TIME MANAGEMENT IN MEDICAL COLLEGE STUDENTS AND ITS IMPACT ON SOCIAL ACTIVITY

Background: Excessive gadget use (smartphones, social media, computer games) and poor time management among medical college students lead to chronic fatigue perception, which negatively affects their social activity and academic performance. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in April-May 2026 among 100 female students (1st-3rd year) of the Abu Ali ibn Sino Public Health College in Namangan city. Standardized questionnaires including the Chalder Fatigue Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Gadget Use Questionnaire, and Social Functioning Questionnaire were applied. Results: 65.0% of respondents spent a significant portion of their daily time on gadgets. Among students reporting 5 or more hours of daily screen time, 72.3% exhibited chronic fatigue perception symptoms. A strong correlation was found between late-night phone use (after midnight) and sleep deprivation (r = 0.71; p < 0.001). Among students experiencing chronic fatigue perception, 69.4% demonstrated a significant decline in social activity. Conclusion: Regulating gadget use and developing time management skills among medical college students are essential prerequisites for reducing chronic fatigue perception and improving social activity.