The Impact of Parent-Child Interaction on Reducing Related Eye Problems of Children in Oyo East Local Government

This study examined the impact of parent-child interaction on reducing screen-related eye problems among children in Oyo East Local Government. Six specific purposes and six research questions guided the study. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, employing a multi-stage sampling technique to select participants. A structured questionnaire was designed to collect data on parent-child interaction, parental awareness of screen-related eye problems, and demographic variables. Additionally, a subset of children underwent basic clinical eye examinations, and focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with parents to gain deeper insights into their perceived role in managing screen time and eye health. The questionnaire was reviewed by experts in optometry, child development, and education to ensure its relevance. A pilot study was conducted with 20 parent-child pairs outside the study location to ensure the reliability of the instruments, resulting in a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.70 or higher, indicating acceptable reliability. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize data on parent-child interaction, screen time, and eye health, while inferential statistics included Pearson correlation to assess the relationship between parent-child interaction and screen-related eye problems, multiple regression analysis to determine the contributions of socio-economic factors, parental awareness, and technology use, and chi-square tests to assess categorical data related to socio-economic differences in eye health outcomes. Results indicated that a significant percentage of parents engaged in daily interactions with their children, which was associated with lower screen time and consequently fewer eye-related issues. A clear link between increased screen time and the prevalence of eye problems was identified, confirming existing literature that suggests prolonged exposure to screens can lead to conditions like smartphone vision syndrome (SVS). Moreover, children with low-quality parent-child interactions experienced higher screen time and more eye problems, emphasizing the importance of nurturing positive family dynamics. Collaboration between educators, healthcare professionals, and parents was recommended to foster a holistic approach to children's health, particularly concerning screen time management. The study concluded that technology should be leveraged to create interactive tools that assist parents in monitoring and managing their children's screen time while promoting engaging activities that do not involve screens.