BACKGROUND: Myopia is a common refractive error where light rays from distant objects focus in front of the retina when accommodation is relaxed. It is a major public health issue and one of the leading causes of blindness and visual impairment, with varying prevalence globally. This study aimed to determine myopia prevalence and associated factors among secondary school students.

METHODS: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 10 -June 10, 2023, in which 488 participants from three secondary schools at Finote Selam town were selected by systematic random sampling. Data was collected using pre-tested, structured questionnaire and ophthalmic examination. The data were entered into Epi Data 4.6, then exported and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive analysis was summarized using frequency, percentage, and summary statistics. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the associated factors, with significance considered a p-value of less than 0.05 and a confidence interval of 95 in multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS: A total of 488 study participants with a response rate of 98.99% were involved in the study. The mean age of subjects was 17.36 years. The prevalence of myopia was 15.37 %( 95%CI: 11.93 –19.10). The factors associated with myopia were gender (AOR=2.63;95%CI:1.41-4.92), residence (AOR=2.04;95%CI:1.08-3.86), family income (AOR=3.43;95%CI:1.74-6.75), family spectacle use (AOR=2.17;95%CI:1.10-4.28), habitual working distance (AOR=2.98;95%CI:1.17-7.58), outdoor activity (AOR=2.47;95%CI:1.22-5.02), and sleep duration (AOR=2.68;95%CI:1.28-5.59).

CONCLUSION: considerable prevalence of myopia has been found on the study area. A total 15.37% participants had myopia. habitual working distance and high socioeconomic status were significantly associated with myopia

KEYWORDS:  Myopia, Secondary school, Finote Selam town, Ethiopia