Prevalence of asthenopia and its risk factors in Chinese college students

AIM:To determine the prevalence of asthenopia and identify any associated risk factors in the college students in Xi’an,China. METHODS:From April to September 2012,1 500 students from five universities in Xi’an were selected according to a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method.Data on demographic features,lifestyle or dietary habits,health status,living environment conditions,sleep and mental status,and asthenopia symptoms were collected through a self-administered validated questionnaire.Univariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis modified by the factor analysis were performed to evaluate risk factors for asthenopia.RESULTS:Fifty-seven percent of the college students complained of asthenopia.Statistically significant risk factors for asthenopia in the univariate analysis included 13 variables.Multivariate analysis revealed a significant relationship between the use of computer and asthenopia(OR 1.21,95% CI:1.09 to 1.35).Good sleep and mental status(OR 0.86,95% CI:0.76 to 0.97),good living environment conditions(OR 0.67,95% CI:0.60 to 0.76),and high intake of green leafy vegetables(OR 0.89,95% CI:0.80 to 0.98) were found to be strong predictors of decreasing the occurrence of asthenopia complaints.CONCLUSION:Asthenopia symptom appeares to be common among college students;and it is strongly associated with computer use,psychosocial state,environment conditions and dietary habits,suggesting that additional studies are warranted to verify these risk factors and establish prevention guidelines,especially for college students.