Digital eye strain and associated factors among final-year undergraduate students in public universities in southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Aim: To assess the burden of digital eye strain (DES) and associated factors among technology students at public universities in southern Ethiopia.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2024 at three universities-Hawassa, Dilla, and Jinka. Data were collected using pretested self-administered questionnaires, including the Digital Eye Strain Questionnaire and other relevant variables.

Results: The survey tool was distributed to the total study population of 788 students, of whom 403 completed the survey, representing 93.5% of the calculated sample size of 431. Participants were predominantly male (74.7%) and enrolled at Hawassa University (57.8%). Daily digital device usage of ≥ 2 hours was reported by 259 (64.3%), and 72.7% had owned digital devices for > 2 years. Few participants reported smoking (0.7%), alcohol use (10.9%), or khat chewing (7.7%), and 13.9% had a history of accidents. Overall, 68.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 64.0%–73.0%] experienced at least one symptom of DES in the past 12 months, with photophobia being the most common. DES was experienced more likely among students from Hawassa University [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.43; 95% CI: 1.11–5.30; p = 0.026], females (AOR = 2.32; 95% CI: 1.25–4.31; p = 0.008), current alcohol consumers (AOR = 3.12; 95% CI: 1.20–8.08; p = 0.019), and those with a history of accidents (AOR = 2.68; 95% CI: 1.17–6.13; p = 0.020).

Conclusions: Over two-thirds of final-year technology students in southern Ethiopian universities reported at least one symptom of DES, with higher risk observed among females, alcohol users, and those with prior accidents.

Keywords

digital eye strain / dry eye syndrome / computer vision syndrome / undergraduate students / digital device use / Ethiopia

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