Digital usage health literacy and correlation with computer vision syndrome (CVS) among personnel working with information technology, Department of Disease Control

Abstract

Thailand has high level of internet connectivity and a mobile phone usage. Twenty-four million households have vision-related problems. This descriptive research was a cross-sectional study aimed to investigate health literacy levels and their correlation with the prevalence of computer vision syndrome (CVS) among 75 information technology (IT) workers in Thailand. A questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentages, mean, and standard deviation, as well as Chi-square tests and multiple regression analysis.

The findings indicated that majority of respondents having more symthomatic exhibited CVS problems, including 47 individuals reporting blurred vision, 21 had difficulty with glare, and 20 experienced dry eyes. It was also found that taking an eye rest for less than 20 minutes and sufficient light at the workplace were negatively related with the occurrence of CVS (p < 0.01). In addition, digital usage health literacy was found to be at a moderate level (50.70%), and decision-making skills were significantly related to CVS, including decision to find risk management strategies (p < 0.01), decision on potential health impact (p < 0.01), and consideration of risk and decision to work further or stop working (p < 0.05). Therefore, health literacy education should be emphasized, specifically on decision-making and communication of digital risks among digital workers, as well as advocating for regular eye checks, and promoting a conducive work environment to mitigate risk among vulnerable groups. These findings shall be used to plan for digital literacy education for organizations in the future.