Skip to main content

ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Public Health
Sec. Occupational Health and Safety
Volume 13 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1524173
This article is part of the Research Topic Healthcare Technologies and Space: Therapeutic Built Environment as a Health Technology and Technologies for Improved Healthcare Settings View all 14 articles

Assessment of Computer vision syndrome and associated factors among employees of Ethio-telecom in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Provisionally accepted
Natnael Gizachew Natnael Gizachew 1*Teferi Abegaz Teferi Abegaz 2Tenaw Demis Tenaw Demis 3Melese Gashaw Melese Gashaw 1Lidetu Demoze Lidetu Demoze 4
  • 1 Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia
  • 2 Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Health Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  • 3 Ministry of Labor and Skills, Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  • 4 Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Background Computer Vision Syndrome refers to a range of eye and vision-related problems which may result from extended use of digital devices such as computers. It is a public health problem, affecting more than 70% of all computer users. In developing countries like Ethiopia, there is scarcity of studies on computer vision syndrome, particularly in the telecom industry making evidence-based interventions difficult. Hence, the study aims to identify the determinants and the prevalence of computer vision syndrome among Ethio telecom workers in Addis Ababa, EthiopiaObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the prevalence of CVS and identify its factors among Ethio telecom workers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.MethodsInstitution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among Ethio telecom employees in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from march to June 2023. A total of 497 individuals participated in the study. Data were collected using an interviewer- administered questionnaire through Kobo Toolbox, observational checklist and an illuminance measuring instrument. The data were transferred to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess the association and control for potential confounders.Results The prevalence of CVS among Ethio telecom workers was 68.8% (95% CI: 64.5-72.9). Significant associations were observed with viewing distance <50 cm (AOR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.24-4.33), improper task illumination (AOR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.09-2.91), habit of taking breaks (AOR: 0.439, 95% CI: 0.281-0.686), and adjustment of brightness and contrast (AOR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.22-0.68).ConclusionMore than two-thirds of Ethio telecom workers in Addis Ababa suffer from CVS, with significant influences from viewing distance, task illumination, breaks, and monitor settings. These findings underscore the need for interventions to enhance working conditions and reduce CVS prevalence among computer users.

    Keywords: Computer vision syndrome, Prevalence, determinants, Ethio telecom workers, task illumination, viewing distance, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Received: 07 Nov 2024; Accepted: 22 Jan 2025.

    Copyright: © 2025 Gizachew, Abegaz, Demis, Gashaw and Demoze. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Natnael Gizachew, Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Dilla University, Dilla, Ethiopia

    Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.