Abstract
Original Research Article
Full Article (FREE DOWNLOAD)
SMJS Volume 3 Issue 1, Page 88- Page 104
THE INFLUENCE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON CHILDREN IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Areej Turkistani, Rawan M. Alsofyani, Haifa A. Alghalbi, Mehad F. Almoqati, Maryam A. Dighriri
Background: COVID-19 spread globally in 2020, resulting in the coronavirus pandemic. The lockdown, closure of schools, and the change in sleeping habits have created many burdens and interrupted the lifestyle of children.
Objectives: The main objective is to determine the psychosocial and lifestyle effect of COVID-19 and the quarantine on children of both sexes aged (4-12) years. Also, to evaluate if children have acquired new skills, the mental impact on children, the changes in children's physical activity and eating habits, the changes in children's interactions with their family, and their communication skills.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was applied in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The samples of 1247 participants were collected from guardians of children aged 4-12 years who lived in Saudi Arabia from October 2020 to March 2021.
It was collected using an online questionnaire and distributed via social media embedded in Microsoft Excel.
Results: (65.2%) of children acquired new skills during the quarantine period, especially those in the kindergarten stage. (56.6%) of parents noticed changes in their child's physical activity. For (17.9%) this change was playing alone on electronic devices. For (78.5%) of children who stayed up late, (59.3%) developed the habit of eating late. The majority (78.3%) of children experienced frustration, and (37.1%) developed fears. Children in middle school had decreased interest in communicating with others than before home quarantine (p=<0.05).
Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted children's mental, social, and physical health. Thus, our findings highlight the need to support children's physical and psychological health during pandemics.
Keywords: COVID-19, Lockdown, Quality of Life, Psychosocial, Children.
To cite this article: Authors: Turkistani A, Alsofyani RM, Alghalbi HA, Almoqati MF, Dighriri MA. The Influences of COVID-19 Pandemic On Children In Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J Students. 2022;3(1):88-104
