Optometría: Acceso Abierto

Abstracto

Prevalence Of Computer Vision Syndrome and Predisposing Factors Among Engineering Students In Hawass University Institution Of Technology Campus, Hawassa, Ethiopia, 2020

Mikael Girum Gebresellassie

Purpose

There is lack of detail information about the magnitude of the computer vision syndrome (CVS) and the factors which predominantly cause CVS. As baseline data, this study is significant for future research. The purpose of this study was to assess the magnitude of CVS and associated factors on students of Hawassa university institution of technology, Hawassa, Ethiopia, 2020. 

Methodology

Institution based cross sectional study design was used from March to May 2020. A multi stage sampling was used. Four departments were selected by using simple random sampling. Among each selected department students were selected by using systematic random sampling and based on the calculated proportion (K) of students in each department, the final sample size was 896. Each student was assessed based on their exposure to any kind of visual display terminal (VDT). Face to face interview, ocular examination and observation during VDT use was performed by five optometrists from March to May 2020.  After collected data was cleaned and coded, EPI info 2002 for data entry and SPSS version 16.0 software for data analysis was used. Odds ratio with a 95% CI will be used to display results.  P value less than 0.05 in multivariate logistic regressions was used to show statistical significance.

Result

The prevalence of computer vision syndrome was 41.7%. Urban(OR =1.66; CI = (1.14, 2.43)), no glass use(OR = 6.01 ; CI = (1.67, 21.63)), reading and playing game with VDT (OR = 2.33; CI =  (1.33, 4.08)), reading and watching movies with VDT (OR = 1.49; CI = (1.02, 2.18)), using Smartphone (OR = 0.60; CI = (0.38, 0.95)), remote near point of convergence (OR= 3.19; CI = (1.64, 6.25)) and moderate size of VDT (OR = 0.63; CI = (0.41, 0.96)) were significantly associated with CVS. There is 0.39Ds reduction of amplitude of accommodation in students who have CVS.

Conclusion

Engineering students had a significant frequency of CVS, with tearing as the most common symptom. It is best to avoid using VDT such as smartphones for a variety of activities such as reading, playing games, and watching movies. Moreover, eye examinations and protective glasses should be considered to prevent CVS.