A STUDY ON EFFECTS OF MENTAL HEALTH ON CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENT DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTER – AN ONLINE STUDY

Abstract

Background: A new corona virus was subsequently identified and was temporarily named the 2019 new corona virus. On 30th January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the emergence of a replacement corona virus (2019-nCoV) was a public health emergency of international concern. Infectious diseases became one among the main threats to global public health within the twenty first century; such diseases impact both physical health and psychological state. PTSD in youth is common and debilitating. In contrast to adult PTSD, relatively little is understood about the neurobiology of paediatric PTSD. This study is an effort to explore the Assessment of suspected covid 19 children for perceived levels of stress during covid 19 outbreaks.

Methods: The information required for the study was obtained through online means. Consent was obtained orally over phone before proceeding with the study. The questionnaire consisted of demographics variables and the questionnaire was shared online via Whatsapp and/or other means. The questionnaire was given in English.

The Children’s Impact of Event Scale (CRIES 13) was used and the questions were multiple choice question (MCQ) type with 1 best response. In case of the patient not having an appropriate phone they were interviewed over the phone and the collected data was statistically analysed to ascertain any significance and association between each variable.

Results: Out of 54 children, two of them were found to have a score of 30 on CRIES Scale
Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest that paediatric PTSD is almost identical to adult PTSD, which has significant p value. It is necessary to recognise the initial psychological impact of the pandemic on children and help them receive immediate attention.

Keywords: Covid 19 pandemic, PTSD, CRIES, children’s, DSM -5