The impact of the covid-19 pandemic on child-youth health: a cross- sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's health. Methodology: Study transverse, exploratory and descriptive of character quantitative / qualitative carried through to one questionnaire developed by Google Forms and available on social media with questions about the pandemic impact on the health of children and adolescents. Results and discussion: Of the 200 caregivers who participated, 94.5% were female and 92% mothers, most were married (87.5%) and older than 40 years (61.5%). As for children and adolescents, most were between 8 and 12 years old (38.5%), 50% were female, 78% did not have comorbidities that favored the severity of COVID-19. In relation to the context of the pandemic, 75.5 % reported having one dialogue honest with the child / adolescent about the lived situation and the main feelings were reported: worry, fear, sadness, anxiety, irritability and missed the routine. In relation to behavioral disorders of children and adolescents since the beginning of the pandemic, 73% of the charge stated observe differences in the main was the increase in time in the home (77%). Additionally, other behavioral changes identified in the QUESTIONNAIRE were very relevant as difficulty sleeping (43%) decline in school performance (42 .5 %) and agitation / irritation (42%). With regard to the practice of physical activity, 63% of children practiced before the pandemic, but only 27.7 % continues, besides that sun bath also was taken, because only 43.2% are taking regularly due to COVID 19 SOPs.. conclusion:  we can see that the pandemic has affected directly the behavior of children and adolescents, being necessary attention geared to families with respect to physical and mental health, as well as the expansion of the debate on the theme.

Keywords: coronavirus, COVID-19, Pandemic, Family health, Pediatric Health.