Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Digital
Eye Strain among Children in Secondary Schools in Pathumthani Province, Thailand
Wasana Lavin MSc 1 , Sasitorn Taptagaporn PhD 2 ,
Santhanee Khruakhorn PhD 3 , Navapol Kanchanaranya MD 4
Affiliation :
1 Human Factors in Engineering and Ergonomics, Medical Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand 2 Faculty of Public Health, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand 3 Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Pathumthani, Thailand 4 Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand
Background : Digital Eye Strain (DES) is one of the health effects from overuse of digital devices. Although the use of digital devices
and the visual problems have been reported among adults in many studies, DES is rarely investigated in children.
Objective : To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of digital eye strain (DES) among the lower secondary school
students.
Materials and Methods : The present report was an analytical cross-sectional study, employed self-administered questionnaires
to determine the prevalence and associated factors of digital eye strain among students in lower secondary schools. Data were
collected from 15 June to 30 August 2016 in 3 schools in Pathumthani province, Thailand. Data were analyzed by Chi-square test
and multivariate regression to show the relationship between studied variables and digital eye strain.
Results : There were total of 550 questionnaires collected (94.01% responsed rate). The symptoms of DES were reported among 460
students (94.84%). The associated risk factors of DES when analyzing with multivariate logistic regression were gender (adjusted
OR 3.88, 95% CI 1.38, 10.92), viewing distance (adjusted OR 3.57, 95% CI 1.28, 9.93) and duration of use on weekend over 2hr per
day (adjusted OR 7.62, 95% CI 3.25, 17.82).
Conclusion : The prevalence of DES in the lower secondary school students was as high as in adults. In Thailand, there are no
guidelines on the use of digital devices especially smartphones. Therefore, the present study recommends that smartphone use
should be less than 2 hours/day and viewing distance more than 34 mm in order to protect health hazards from smartphone.
Keywords : Digital eye strain, Viewing distance, Children, Smartphone
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