The Impact of COVID-19 on the Behaviors and Attitudes of Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Swetha Annam; Maria F Fleming; Azouba Gulraiz; Muhammad Talha Zafar; Saif Khan; Princess T Oghomitse-Omene; Sana Saleemuddin; Parth Patel; Zainab Ahsan; Muhammad Saqlain S Qavi

doi:10.7759/cureus.29719

Back

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Behaviors and Attitudes of Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Behaviors and Attitudes of Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Swetha Annam, Maria F Fleming, Azouba Gulraiz, Muhammad Talha Zafar, Saif Khan, Princess T Oghomitse-Omene, Sana Saleemuddin, Parth Patel, Zainab Ahsan and Muhammad Saqlain S Qavi

Curēus (Palo Alto, CA), Vol.14(9), pp.e29719-e29719

28/09/2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.29719

PMID: 36321016

Abstract

adolescent

child and adolescent psychiatry

child attitudes

child behaviour

covid-19

Internal Medicine

mental health

Pediatrics

Psychiatry

Background and objective Over the past few decades, new infectious diseases have emerged, and these have played a key role in changing behavior and lifestyle in all age groups. More recently, with the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, governments around the world have made unprecedented efforts to contain the epidemic by implementing quarantine measures, social distancing, and isolating infected individuals. Social behavioral adaptations (e.g., social distancing, isolation, etc.) impact children's and adolescents' lifestyle activities and lead to increased incidence of psychosocial problems, worsening of preexisting mental illness, and fears of infection, uncertainty, isolation, and stress. In light of this, this study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the behaviors and lifestyles of the children and adolescent population of Pakistan. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 323 children and adolescents by targeting parents of children and adolescents in the age group of 4-18 years living in Pakistan. The study was conducted from April 2021 to September 2021. A well-designed structured questionnaire was used to collect data about the sociodemographic profile, attitudes, and behavioral factors impacted by COVID-19 in children and adolescents. SPSS Statistics version 23 (IBM, Armonk, NY) was used to enter and analyze data. Results Parents or caregivers of a total of 189 male and 134 female children aged between four and 18 years took part in this study. During COVID-19, the consumption of fast food and fried foods by children and adolescents increased significantly. In this study, out of 323 participants, almost all (289, 89.5%) had increased their screen time significantly. Nearly half of the total individuals experienced the feeling of depression and loneliness during the pandemic. Additionally, some children and adolescents felt fearful when leaving home. COVID-19 lockdowns have led to many changes in children's and adolescents' lifestyle habits. They reduced physical contact with others due to the fear of transmission of COVID-19. Based on our findings, the pandemic and its containment strategies have adversely affected the behaviors, lifestyles, and attitudes of children and adolescents. Conclusion Governments around the world have imposed social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to adverse short-term and long-term negative mental health issues such as unhappiness, fear, worry, irritability, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Interventions are needed to focus on building resilience in children and adolescents, addressing their fears and concerns through better communication, encouraging routine and physical activity, and taking measures to alleviate loneliness.

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.29719View

Published (Version of record) Open

Metrics

1 Record Views

See more details

Details

Title: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Behaviors and Attitudes of Children and Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study
Creators - without role: Swetha Annam - Pulmonary Medicine, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, IND Internal Medicine, Bhaskar Medical College, Hyderabad, IND Journal Club Leader, Forum of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Miami, USA General Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, VEN Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA Medicine, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, PAK Hospital-based Medicine, North Manchester Hospital, Manchester, GBR Pediatrics and Neonatology, Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Abraka, NGA Pediatrics and Child Health, Convenant Community Care, Detroit, USA Family Medicine, Dr. VRK Women's Medical College, Aziznagar, USA Internal Medicine, M. P. Shah Medical College, Jamnagar, IND Medicine, CMH Lahore Medical College & Institute of Dentistry, Lahore, PAK Internal Medicine, Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore, PAK
Maria F Fleming - Pulmonary Medicine, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, IND Internal Medicine, Bhaskar Medical College, Hyderabad, IND Journal Club Leader, Forum of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Miami, USA General Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, VEN Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA Medicine, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, PAK Hospital-based Medicine, North Manchester Hospital, Manchester, GBR Pediatrics and Neonatology, Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Abraka, NGA Pediatrics and Child Health, Convenant Community Care, Detroit, USA Family Medicine, Dr. VRK Women's Medical College, Aziznagar, USA Internal Medicine, M. P. Shah Medical College, Jamnagar, IND Medicine, CMH Lahore Medical College & Institute of Dentistry, Lahore, PAK Internal Medicine, Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore, PAK
Azouba Gulraiz - Pulmonary Medicine, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, IND Internal Medicine, Bhaskar Medical College, Hyderabad, IND Journal Club Leader, Forum of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Miami, USA General Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, VEN Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA Medicine, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, PAK Hospital-based Medicine, North Manchester Hospital, Manchester, GBR Pediatrics and Neonatology, Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Abraka, NGA Pediatrics and Child Health, Convenant Community Care, Detroit, USA Family Medicine, Dr. VRK Women's Medical College, Aziznagar, USA Internal Medicine, M. P. Shah Medical College, Jamnagar, IND Medicine, CMH Lahore Medical College & Institute of Dentistry, Lahore, PAK Internal Medicine, Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore, PAK
Muhammad Talha Zafar - Pulmonary Medicine, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, IND Internal Medicine, Bhaskar Medical College, Hyderabad, IND Journal Club Leader, Forum of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Miami, USA General Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, VEN Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA Medicine, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, PAK Hospital-based Medicine, North Manchester Hospital, Manchester, GBR Pediatrics and Neonatology, Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Abraka, NGA Pediatrics and Child Health, Convenant Community Care, Detroit, USA Family Medicine, Dr. VRK Women's Medical College, Aziznagar, USA Internal Medicine, M. P. Shah Medical College, Jamnagar, IND Medicine, CMH Lahore Medical College & Institute of Dentistry, Lahore, PAK Internal Medicine, Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore, PAK
Saif Khan - Delta State University
Princess T Oghomitse-Omene - Pulmonary Medicine, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, IND Internal Medicine, Bhaskar Medical College, Hyderabad, IND Journal Club Leader, Forum of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Miami, USA General Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, VEN Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA Medicine, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, PAK Hospital-based Medicine, North Manchester Hospital, Manchester, GBR Pediatrics and Neonatology, Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Abraka, NGA Pediatrics and Child Health, Convenant Community Care, Detroit, USA Family Medicine, Dr. VRK Women's Medical College, Aziznagar, USA Internal Medicine, M. P. Shah Medical College, Jamnagar, IND Medicine, CMH Lahore Medical College & Institute of Dentistry, Lahore, PAK Internal Medicine, Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore, PAK
Sana Saleemuddin - Pulmonary Medicine, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, IND Internal Medicine, Bhaskar Medical College, Hyderabad, IND Journal Club Leader, Forum of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Miami, USA General Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, VEN Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA Medicine, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, PAK Hospital-based Medicine, North Manchester Hospital, Manchester, GBR Pediatrics and Neonatology, Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Abraka, NGA Pediatrics and Child Health, Convenant Community Care, Detroit, USA Family Medicine, Dr. VRK Women's Medical College, Aziznagar, USA Internal Medicine, M. P. Shah Medical College, Jamnagar, IND Medicine, CMH Lahore Medical College & Institute of Dentistry, Lahore, PAK Internal Medicine, Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore, PAK
Parth Patel - Pulmonary Medicine, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, IND Internal Medicine, Bhaskar Medical College, Hyderabad, IND Journal Club Leader, Forum of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Miami, USA General Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, VEN Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA Medicine, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, PAK Hospital-based Medicine, North Manchester Hospital, Manchester, GBR Pediatrics and Neonatology, Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Abraka, NGA Pediatrics and Child Health, Convenant Community Care, Detroit, USA Family Medicine, Dr. VRK Women's Medical College, Aziznagar, USA Internal Medicine, M. P. Shah Medical College, Jamnagar, IND Medicine, CMH Lahore Medical College & Institute of Dentistry, Lahore, PAK Internal Medicine, Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore, PAK
Zainab Ahsan - Pulmonary Medicine, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, IND Internal Medicine, Bhaskar Medical College, Hyderabad, IND Journal Club Leader, Forum of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Miami, USA General Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, VEN Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA Medicine, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, PAK Hospital-based Medicine, North Manchester Hospital, Manchester, GBR Pediatrics and Neonatology, Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Abraka, NGA Pediatrics and Child Health, Convenant Community Care, Detroit, USA Family Medicine, Dr. VRK Women's Medical College, Aziznagar, USA Internal Medicine, M. P. Shah Medical College, Jamnagar, IND Medicine, CMH Lahore Medical College & Institute of Dentistry, Lahore, PAK Internal Medicine, Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore, PAK
Muhammad Saqlain S Qavi - Pulmonary Medicine, Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, IND Internal Medicine, Bhaskar Medical College, Hyderabad, IND Journal Club Leader, Forum of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Miami, USA General Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, VEN Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences & Psychology, Fairfield, USA Medicine, Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College, Karachi, PAK Hospital-based Medicine, North Manchester Hospital, Manchester, GBR Pediatrics and Neonatology, Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Abraka, NGA Pediatrics and Child Health, Convenant Community Care, Detroit, USA Family Medicine, Dr. VRK Women's Medical College, Aziznagar, USA Internal Medicine, M. P. Shah Medical College, Jamnagar, IND Medicine, CMH Lahore Medical College & Institute of Dentistry, Lahore, PAK Internal Medicine, Akhtar Saeed Medical and Dental College, Lahore, PAK
Publication Details: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA), Vol.14(9), pp.e29719-e29719
Publisher: Cureus
Identifiers: 9932138608331
Academic Unit: University Ha'il
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article