COVID-19 Pandemi Sürecindeki İnternet Tabanlı Uzaktan Eğitimin Üniversite Öğrencileri Üzerindeki Etkileri: Kesitsel Çalışma

Abstract

Objective: This study was designed to examine the effects of the Internet usage time, which increased as a result of the compulsory transition to distance education, on the university students' musculoskeletal system as well as its effects on their perceived stress level and quality of life. Material and Methods: One hundred and thirty nine students, aged 18-25, studying at undergraduate, attended this study. The evaluations were made by sharing the link of the questionnaire form prepared using the 'Google Forms' application. The demographic characteristics of all participating individuals and the time spent on distance education on the Internet were recorded. Musculoskeletal pain, perceived pain and discomfort were evaluated with the Cornell Musculoskeletal Disorders Assessment Questionnaire, stress level with Perceived Stress Scale, and quality of life with the Quality of Life Short Form-36. Results: The mean age of the university students was 19.63±1.3 years. It was determined that the average time students spent on distance education was 5.44±2.08 hours per day. The body parts where the students felt the most pain were neck, back, and lower back; and there was a statistically significant, very weak to weak relationship between the Internet usage time and the pain felt, the level of perceived stress, and quality of life. Conclusion: Internet-based distance education, which is perceived as a sedentary lifestyle, can have negative effects on students. Expansion of the study may be useful in determining the effects of distance education, which has become mandatory in pandemic conditions.