Excessive Screen Time and Associated Factors Among Under Five Children in Debre Berhan City Administration Ethiopia

<title>Abstract</title> <p>Background Excessive screen time (EST) in early childhood is linked to developmental delays. As urbanization shifts behaviors in Ethiopia, localized evidence in industrial hubs like Debre Berhan remains scarce. Objective To assess EST prevalence and associated factors among children under five in Debre Berhan City, Ethiopia, 2026. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 451 parents using multi-stage sampling. Data collected via face-to-face interviews were analyzed using logistic regression. EST was defined by WHO guidelines: any exposure for children &lt; 24 months and &gt; 1 hour/day for those aged 2–5 years. Results The prevalence of EST was 39.7% (95% CI: 35.2%, 44.3%). Significant predictors included children aged ≥ 24 months (AOR = 2.51; 95% CI: 1.6–3.9), paternal screen use &gt; 2 hours/day (AOR = 3.05; 95% CI: 1.9–4.9), presence of a screen in the child’s bedroom (AOR = 2.24; 95% CI: 1.4–3.6), and maternal education of college or above (AOR = 3.18; 95% CI: 1.6–6.3). Conclusion Nearly four in ten children exceed recommended screen limits. Paternal modeling, bedroom device access, and high maternal education are primary drivers. Interventions should prioritize parental counseling on digital hygiene and "screen-free zones".</p>