Excessive screen time and its associated factors among under-5 children in Woliso City Administration, Central Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

Background Screen time is the daily duration an individual spends watching screen devices. Excessive screen time leads to sedentary behaviours, negatively affecting all developmental health domains. Despite the growing accessibility of screen devices, limited attention has been given both globally and locally, particularly in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess excessive screen time and its associated factors among under-5 children in Woliso City Administration, Central Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 10 January to 29 February 2024. Guardians of under-5 children were selected using systematic random sampling, and data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire adapted from previous studies. EpiData V.3.1 and Statistical Product and Service Solutions V.25.0 were used for data entry and analysis. Findings were presented through in-text narrations, tables and graphs. Binary logistic regression analysis tested factors associated with excessive screen time, with adjusted ORs and p values <0.05, illustrating the strength and statistical significance of the association. Result Out of 506 study participants, 498 responded. About 75.9% (CI 71.9 to 79.6) of participants had excessive screen time. Significant factors included father’s age ≥30 years (AOR 0.225, CI 0.080 to 0.630), mother’s age ≥30 years (AOR=1.775, CI 1.045 to 3.015), child’s age ≥24 months (AOR 0.464, CI 0.251 to 0.858), parental supervision (AOR 4.329, CI 1.367 to 13.71), parental perception of maximum daily screen time (<60 min: AOR 5.894, CI 2.255 to 15.41; ≥60 min: AOR 4.30, CI 1.577 to 11.743), parental restrictive practice (AOR 0.495, CI 0.354 to 0.691) and availability of screen devices in the bedroom (AOR 1.869, CI 1.069 to 3.629). Conclusions Three in four children had excessive screen time. Parental supervision, parental perception of maximum screen time, parental restrictive practice and screen devices in eating, playing or sleeping rooms were modifiable factors influencing screen time. Hence, it is essential to educate parents on limiting children’s screen time per recommended guidelines and regularly supervise young children.