BackgroundOphthalmia neonatorum is one of the main causes of blindness among newborns in developing countries like Ethiopia. According to WHO recommendation, tetracycline eye ointment prophylaxis is applied to the newborns eye to prevent neonatal conjunctivitis in Ethiopia. However, not all newborns get tetracycline prophylaxis at birth in Ethiopia. Information is scarce about TTC eye prophylaxis in Ethiopia. ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess prevalence and factors associated with tetracycline eye ointment prophylaxis among newborns in Ethiopia in 2016. MethodsThis study used the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data (EDHS) data for analysis. Analysis was restricted to newborns that were born alive in the past five years prior to 2016. Data were weighted to correct sampling bias. Furthermore, complex data analysis was done. Bivariate logistic regression was carried out to identify association between outcome and independent variables and factors with COR with 95%CI was computed and variables with p-value less than 0.25 were taken as candidate variable for multivariable logistic regression analysis. An adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was computed and a P-value less than 0.05 considered as significant level for identification of as association. Descriptive analysis was presented using tables and charts. ResultsPrevalence of tetracycline eye ointment is 1103(14.5%) in this study. Newborns in Dire-Dawa (AOR = 1.7, 95%CI, 1.2, 2.6), urban (AOR = 2.4, 95%CI, 1.9, 2.98), poorer (AOR = 2.21, 95%CI, 1.6, 2.7), neonates of rich women (AOR = 1.32, 95%CI, 1.1, 1.63), newborns of women who start ANC from 3 to 6 months (AOR = 3.11, 95%CI, 2.53, 3.82), newborns of women who own mobile (AOR = 1.28, 95%CI, 1.04, 1.61) were the positive predictors of tetracycline eye ointment prophylaxis uptake in Ethiopia. ConclusionThe uptake of tetracycline eye ointment prophylaxis among newborns is low in this study. Living in Dire-Dawa, urban, rich families, women ownership of mobile cell phones and early intiation of antenatal care were factors associated positively with tetracycline eye ointment. Hence, we recommend integrating essential newborn care information into antenatal care services. Finally, policy makers and programmers should design and strengthen health information though digital platforms like social media.