Indicators of Computer Vision Syndrome Among Secondary School Students in Enugu, Nigeria: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study of Public and Private Schools

Abstract

A bstract Background: Computer vision syndrome (CVS) has emerged as a significant public health concern, affecting individuals across all age groups, particularly adolescents, due to their increasing exposure to digital devices. Objective: To determine the prevalence of CVS and compare the indicators of CVS among secondary school students in public and private schools in Enugu, Nigeria, with a view to informing targeted school health interventions. Materials and Methods: This comparative, cross-sectional study was conducted among 1726 senior secondary school students from two urban schools in Enugu, Nigeria. Eligible participants were students aged 12 years and above who had used digital devices for at least 1 h daily over a minimum period of 2 years. CVS was defined as the presence of at least one ocular symptom associated with digital device use. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of ocular symptoms. Results: The overall prevalence of ocular symptoms suggestive of CVS was 95.5%. Students in public schools had significantly higher odds of experiencing ocular symptoms compared to their counterparts in private schools (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 13.87; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.48–15.77; P < 0.001). Participants’ gender (AOR = 1.90; 95% CI: 0.71–2.11; P = 0.036) and social media use (AOR = 1.93; 95% CI: 0.78–2.11; P = 0.031) were also identified as independent predictors of ocular symptoms. Conclusion: CVS is highly prevalent among secondary school students in Enugu, with significant differences by school type, gender, and social media use. These findings highlight the need for targeted school-based interventions to promote safe digital device use and reduce the burden of CVS among adolescents.