Investigation and analysis of factors associated with myopia among students in De'an County, Jiujiang, Jiangxi Province

Objective To investigate the situation and factors associated with myopia among students in De'an County, Jiujiang, Jiangxi Province, so as to provide evidence for further prevention and control of myopia.

Methods Six schools were randomly selected in De'an County at June, 2021, including 2 schools at primary, junior high and senior high school respectively. All students in class were surveyed. There were at least 80 students in each grade, with half boys and half girls. Finally 2303 subjects were tested for farsightedness and refraction by computer, and students from grade 4 to grade 12 were investigated for factors associated with myopia through questionnaire survey.

Results 1 210(52.54%) myopia cases were detected during screening. The detection rates at primary school, junior high school and senior high school were 30.13%, 69.38% and 79.15%, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (χ² = 461.835, P < 0.05). The detection rate of girls was greater than that of boys at junior high school(χ² = 10.970, P < 0.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that detection rates of screening myopia were different in terms of social demographic characteristics(gender, grade, board at school or not), eye health in school, eye health outside school, reading and writing posture, close eye habit and sleeping time (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that boys, primary and junior high school students had a lower risk of screening myopia. Students with teachers and parents keeping correcting reading and writing posture, and students whose desk and chair height was adjusted according to their height once a academic year had a higher risk of screening myopia (all P < 0.05).

Conclusion The detection rate of myopia among students in De'an County is high. Different grade, teachers and parents reminding reading and writing postures or not, and table and chair height adjustment based on height are factors associated with screening myopia among students in De'an County. Therefore, early intervention should be valued, good eye care habits should be cultivated, and myopia prevention and control health education should be strengthened among students, parents and teachers.