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

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.