Myopia represents a significant global public health challenge, with China experiencing particularly high myopia prevalence among children and adolescents. The World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledges the critical role of health education in eye care and has collaborated with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to launch the Be He@lthy, Be Mobile (BHBM) initiative, which includes MyopiaEd-a mobile health project specifically designed to address myopia. Developed in partnership with international experts and informed by evidence-based guidelines, MyopiaEd provides standardized, scientifically validated content for effective myopia control. The MyopiaEd library has been translated and adapted by the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center for use in China. Therefore, we aim to investigate whether the Chinese version of MyopiaEd can improve eye care behaviors among primary school students and enhance parental knowledge regarding myopia prevention and control in China.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
1,330
Guardians of students in the intervention group will receive regular myopia-related health education messages, comprising text and images, from the MyopiaEd information repository via class-based WeChat groups. The intervention will last for 12 months.
The proportion of children having improved eye-use behaviors after 1 year.
Children are considered to have improved behaviors if they meet three or more of the following criteria after 12 months: Outdoor Time: Increase of ≥ 30 minutes for those initially \< 2 hours; maintain ≥ 2 hours for those initially ≥ 2 hours. Near Work Time: Reduce ≥ 30 minutes for those initially ≥ 1 hour; maintain \< 1 hour for those initially \< 1 hour. Screen Time: Reduce ≥ 30 minutes for those initially ≥ 1 hour; maintain \< 1 hour for those initially \< 1 hour. Eye Exam Frequency: Increase of ≥ 1 exam for those with \< 2 exams initially; maintain ≥ 2 for those with ≥ 2 exams. Sitting Posture: Increase of ≥ 1 point for those with ≤ 3; maintain ≥ 4 for those with ≥ 4. Resting Behavior During Near Work: Increase of ≥ 1 point for those with ≤ 3; maintain ≥ 4 for those with ≥ 4. Spectacle-Wearing: Children not wearing glasses begin after 12 months. Daily Spectacle Wear for Myopic Children: Increase of ≥ 1 hour for those wearing ≤ 8 hours; maintain \> 8 hours for those wearing \> 8 hour.
Time frame: 12 months
Change in myopia-related knowledge score of students' guardians between baseline and 12 months
Change in myopia-related knowledge score of students' guardians between baseline and 12 months, assessed via questionnaire. The score ranged from 1 to 20, with higher scores indicating better knowledge.
Time frame: 12 months
Difference in incidence of myopia between the two groups after 12 months
Difference in incidence of myopia between the two groups after 12 months
Time frame: 12 months
Difference in the change of spherical equivalence between baseline and 12 months in the two groups
Difference in the change of spherical equivalence between baseline and 12 months in the two groups. Spherical equivalence is calculated as sphere plus half of cylindrical power, as assessed by auto-refraction.
Time frame: 12 months
The satisfaction of the MyopiaEd information by the guardians
The satisfaction of the MyopiaEd information by the guardians, assessed by a study questionnaire. Satisfaction score ranges from 1 to 5, with higher scores indicating better satisfaction.
Time frame: 12 months
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