Substantiating optimal parameters of risk factors existing in the educational environment for schoolchildren as per indicators of physical, mental and somatic health

Abstract

Schoolchildren are simultaneously exposed to several risk factors associated with the educational process, nutrition in school, ambient air quality, water quality, socioeconomic conditions etc. Their intensity and combinations largely determine indicators of children’s physical, somatic and mental health. Our research goal was to quantify influence exerted by a set of risk factors existing in the educational environment on key indicators of schoolchildren’s health. We examined 661 children who attended four secondary education institutions of different types. The educational processes in each institution were estimated to check their conformity with sanitary-epidemiological requirements and hygienic standards. Psychological testing included tests aimed at assessing attention, cognitive functions, memory and stress. Laboratory tests involved using liquid and gas chromatography and spectrophotometry. Nutrition provided by schools was estimated to check whether it conformed to the standards stipulated in the Sanitary Rules and Norms SanPiN 2.3/2.4.3590-20. Socioeconomic factors influencing the examined children were assessed as per results produced by a social survey. All the data were statistically analyzed with conventional statistical procedures and mathematical analysis. Influence exerted by risk factors on body composition, incidence and results of psychological testing was assessed by using single-factor logistic regression modeling of “dose – likelihood of a response (effect)” relationships. Significance of the created models was estimated as per Fischer’s test. We established parameters of risk factors that would ensure absence of any negative effects on schoolchildren’s health under simultaneous exposure. The article provides the results produced by comparative analysis of the educational environment in different types of schools and its conformity with established optimal parameters as well as existing standards. We have also developed certain recommendations on how to create a health-preserving environment for a contemporary schoolchild, both in school and beyond classes.