Life Of Schoolchildren Research Articles

Kronik Hastalığı Olan Çocukların Algıladıkları Sosyal Desteğin Okul Başarısına Etkisi

This study was carried out to assess the effect of the perceived social support by chronic diseased students on their school success. This cross-sectional and descriptive research was conducted with hospitalised chronic diseased children aged between 10-16 years. Data of the study was collected by using Perceived Social Support Scale. The research has been conducted with a questionnaire method. School life of children with diagnosed chronic disease is interrupted by; frequent hospitalizations, controls, treatment approaches and medicational side effects. The children who participated the survey were determined to fall behind in their lessons and had decreased school success when compared to peers. While these factors affect children’s school adaptation and success, social support has been shown have positive effects on these topics. While chronic diseases were detected to have negative effects on children's school success, perceived social support has been determined to have positive effects. Besides, children stated that existence of a school nurse would not only help in their treatment and make them feel safer at school but also would prevent absenteeism. Social support and existence of a school nurse are important factors in the school success of chronic diseased children.

The impact of a community-based intervention on weight, weight-related behaviours and health-related quality of life in primary school children in Victoria, Australia, according to socio-economic position

BackgroundApproximately a quarter of Australian children are classified as overweight or obese. In high-income countries, childhood obesity follows a socio-economic gradient, with greater prevalence amongst the most socio-economically disadvantaged children. Community-based interventions (CBI), particularly those using a systems approach, have been shown to be effective on weight and weight-related behaviours. They are also thought to have an equitable impacts, however there is limited evidence of their effectiveness in achieving this goal.MethodsSecondary analysis was conducted on data collected from primary school children (aged 6–13 years) residing in ten communities (five intervention, five control) involved in the Whole of Systems Trial of Prevention Strategies for Childhood Obesity (WHO STOPS) cluster randomised trial in Victoria, Australia. Outcomes included Body Mass Index z-score (BMI-z) derived from measured height and weight, self-reported physical activity and dietary behaviours and health related quality of life (HRQoL). Repeat cross-sectional data from 2015 (n = 1790) and 2019 (n = 2137) were analysed, stratified by high or low socio-economic position (SEP). Multilevel linear models and generalised estimating equations were fitted to assess whether SEP modified the intervention effect on the outcomes.ResultsThere were no overall changes in BMI-z for either SEP strata. For behavioural outcomes, the intervention resulted in a 22.5% (95% CI 5.1, 39.9) point greater improvement in high-SEP compared to low-SEP intervention schools for meeting physical activity guidelines. There were also positive dietary intervention effects for high SEP students, reducing takeaway and packaged snack consumption, although there was no significant difference in effect between high and low SEP students. There were positive intervention effects for HRQoL, whereby scores declined in control communities with no change in intervention communities, and this did not differ by SEP.ConclusionThe WHO STOPS intervention had differential effects on several weight-related behaviours according to SEP, including physical activity. Similar impacts on HRQoL outcomes were found between high and low SEP groups. Importantly, the trial evaluation was not powered to detect subgroup differences. Future evaluations of CBIs should be designed with an equity lens, to understand if and how these types of interventions can benefit all community members, regardless of their social and economic resources.

COVID-19 pandemic and health related quality of life in primary school children in Switzerland: a repeated cross-sectional study.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting containment measures had and still have a profound impact on everyday life. Both the fear of infection and the imposed restrictions can have biopsychosocial consequences. The aim of the present study was to analyze whether there is a difference in the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of primary school children in 2014/15 compared to in 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study included 1,712 children aged 5 to 11 years who either participated in the baseline assessment of the SOPHYA cohort study in 2014/15 or were newly recruited during follow-up of the cohort in 2020. In both surveys, the children invited for participation were identified based on registry data. HRQoL was assessed with the validated KINDL-R questionnaire, which scores HRQoL along six different dimensions. The overall scores (82.4 [81.8; 83.0] vs. 79.6 [79,1; 80.2]), and in particular the emotional well-being scores (85.6 [84.6; 86.6] vs. 83.3 [82.4; 84.2]), were lower during the year of the pandemic (2020) compared to the survey year 2014/15. The highest decrease between 2014/15 and 2020 in the adjusted models was seen for the youngest age group (-3.9 points), followed by children from families with a high income (-3.2 points), girls (-3.1 points), Swiss citizens (-3.1 points) and children from the German-speaking part of Switzerland (-3.1 points). HRQoL was particularly low during periods with restrictions and at the height of the COVID-19 waves in 2020. The SOPHYA-study showed that HRQoL, and especially emotional well-being, was lower in 5 to 11-year-old children in Switzerland during the first year of the pandemic compared to the results from the survey conducted in 2014/15. In the year of the pandemic, the scores were lowest at the height of the COVID-19 waves and their associated restrictions. As it cannot be distinguished whether fear of the disease itself or the restrictions caused this decrease in HRQoL, containment policies should keep COVID-19 infections as low as possible, but still enable children to profit from protective factors such as leisure activities, physical activity and social contact.

Quality of Life in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Sickle Cell Disease and Their Caregivers during Standard of Care and after Bone Marrow Transplantation: A Single Center Report

▪BackgroundIn spite of the improvements in clinical care of children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), painful vaso-occlusive (VOC) crises, recurrent admissions and long hospital stays contribute to the disruption of the social and school life of children and adolescents with SCD causing a poor QoL.Limited information is available regarding QoL of children, adolescents and young adults with SCD and their caregivers during standard of care and after bone marrow transplantation in Italy even though Italian patients participating in international meetings or global surveys highlighted the importance to improve QoL (Strunk C. BMC Proc. 2020, Osunkwo I. Am J Hematol. 2021). Moreover, no mention is given to QoL in the current AIEOP Recommendations for the Management of Children with SCD in Italy. The availability of new treatment options for SCD highlights the need to improve QoL evaluation before and after treatments.Our Center decided, therefore, to include QoL evaluation as part of comprehensive care for patients with SCD. This study has the following aims: to describe the QoL of children, adolescents and young adults with SCD undergoing standard care or after disease curative treatments (bone marrow transplantation) and the QoL of their caregivers; to evaluate the correlation of QoL with clinical-haematological and therapeutic variables.MethodsHealth Related QoL was examined with the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) questionnaires in Italian: Parent Proxy Profile-49 v2.0, Pediatric Profile-49 v2.0 and 57 Profile v2.1, exploring 8 domains: Pain, Fatigue, Anxiety, Depression, Physical Abilities, Peer Relations, Sleep Disorders, Pain Interference. An English version was available for English speaking parents.Patients and caregivers accessing the SCD Clinic starting May 2021 were given the paper version of the questionnaires; due to the COVID pandemic and the limited access to the SCD Outpatient Clinic, a link to a Google online version of the questionnaires was provided to all teenagers and young adults, through their mobile devices. .PROMIS Scores were standardized through the Health Measures Scoring Service (healthmeasures.net). For the descriptive analysis, the T-score was obtained, for each patient and for each PROMIS domain (symptom or function), classifying impairment in each domain as normal, mild, moderate, or severe. The Student T Test for comparisons of the means among samples and the Wilcoxon Test for the sum of ranks were used in the statistical analysis of normal and non-normal continuous variables. For the correlation analysis between continuous variables of which at least one is not normal, the Spearman Correlation Test was used. The values with p<0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsAll patients and parents approached accepted to perform the questionnaire. The study involved 18 caregivers and 50 patients (25% F, mean age 16.4 years, 74% HbSS, 76% from Africa): 41 undergoing standard care (7 no therapy, 34 Hydroxyurea or chronic transfusion) and 9 who received HSCT. 37 patients (74%) and 8 parents (44%) completed the online Google version of the questionnaire. The standard of care patients displayed mild to severe symptoms in various domains (Figure 1A); in the transplant population there was impairment in QoL, with less severe impairment in most of the domains, especially in the pain domains, than what was in the standard of care group. (Figure 1B).Anxiety levels and depressive symptoms were greatest between the ages of 14-26, compared to younger ages (p 0.018).Parents do not have the same perception of the disease as their children: they appeared to overestimate the domain of pain and fatigue and underestimate anxiety and depression (p <0.001). Sleep quality was impaired in both affected and HSCT patients.The number of hospital admissions in the previous year correlated with worse QoL (p 0.04), while the number of painful VOC showed a tendency towards significance (p 0.07); there was no difference with the other domains. Updated results will be presented.ConclusionsOur data show the feasibility of evaluating QoL during routine visits and also remotely. Impairment of QoL is already present in a subgroup of young patients. Even after HSCT, QoL is not optimal but personal, social, and economic reasons need to be taken into account to adequately interpret the results. Longitudinal assessment to look at QoL will be important. [Display omitted] DisclosuresBiffi: BlueBirdBio: Consultancy, Other: Advisory Board. Colombatti: Global Blood Therapeutics: Consultancy; BlueBirdBio: Consultancy; NovoNordisk: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy; Forma Therapeutics: Consultancy; Addmedica: Consultancy; Global Blood Therapeutics: Research Funding; BlueBirdBio: Research Funding.

Impact of malocclusion on the Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of 8 to 10 years old school children

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Objective: To investigate the impact of malocclusion on the Oral Health Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) of school children.&#x0D; Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among four hundred and twenty five (425) 8-10 years school pupils in Lagos Nigeria. Malocclusion was assessed using the Dental Aesthetic Index while OHRQoL was assessed using the Child Perception Questionnaire (CPQ 8-10). Data entry and analyses was done with SPSS Version 23.0. Data were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis and Chi-square test and one-way ANOVA were used for comparison between variables. Level of significance was set at 0.05.&#x0D; Results: Gender distribution of the study population was; 48.8% (208) males and 51.2% (217) females. The mean age of the participants was 9.23±0.83 and their median age was 9 years. The prevalence of malocclusion according to DAI was 25.9%. Over 70% of the children were found to have no/ or slight need for orthodontic treatment (DAI score &lt; 25), elective treatment was needed in 19.1% of subjects (DAI score 25-30), while in 6.8% of the surveyed population; treatment was highly desirable/mandatory. The differences in the prevalence of malocclusion among the different age groups was observed to be statistically significant (P = 0.038). The overall mean CPQ 8-10 was 19.51±17.1. There was no statistically significant difference in mean CPQ scores between gender (P=0.565), age (P=0.524) and severity of malocclusion (P=0.296)&#x0D; Conclusion: The prevalence of malocclusion in this study was 25.9% with an overall mean CPQ of 19.51±17.1. Higher mean CPQ values were observed with females, older age group and subjects with DAI 31- 35; however, it was not statistically significant.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Analysis of socioeconomic factors in the participation of parents in the Ecuadorian educational context

Introduction. The family is the axis on which the social structure develops, and that is why exploring how they participate in the school life of children becomes, over the years, something of importance. It is necessary to know how participation develops from some of the variables that can influence it. Objetive. Contrast whether the participation of parents in school activities has something to do with schooling, occupation, gender, marital status, age of parents, region, sector, and type of support of the school in which their children study. Methodology. For this, field research of cross-sectional type, of descriptive scope, was carried out, to check the levels of relationship, among the variables of this study. Chi-square test was used with the statistical software R Project. Results. As main results, it was found that the variables schooling (2.255e-12), occupation (9.578e-13), gender (6.43e-15), marital status (0.04333), sector (0.0006822) and type of school support (0.0001065) are related to the levels of parental participation, while the age of the parents (0.2975), and the region (0.6784) do not have significant levels of relationship. Conclusions. It is concluded in the study that the level of participation of parents in the Ecuadorian educational context is high; the variables that are related in a positive or negative way must be taken into consideration to improve the school processes that need this collaboration.

Well-being in e-school and the quality of life of youth in a pandemic

The aim of the research was to diagnose the well-being of schoolchildren in the conditions of online learning in relation to the subjectively perceived quality of life in a pandemic. The psychometrically verified My well-being in e-school questionnaire and the Polish version of the KIDSCREEN 10 questionnaire were used. The research was conducted via the Internet (Google Forms) ensuring the anonymity of participants. The results were obtained from 360 students of 7th and 8th grades of primary schools and 1st grade of secondary schools of the Lubelskie Voivodeship. The results of the research indicate the deterioration of the well-being of young people in the conditions of online learning in the field of psychophysical health (overload of prolonged sitting in front of the computer, pain in the eyes, head and spine). The well-being of youth in e-school significantly correlates with the quality of life related to health. The quality-of-life index of the examined youth is significantly lower compared to the results of the normalizing sample for the Polish population, taking into account the age and gender criteria. These results may indicate the deterioration of the psychophysical condition of youth caused by the pandemic. Due to the possible long-term effects of online learning, social isolation and limited possibilities of self-fulfilment, other problems related to the prolonged state of the epidemic, further in-depth (also qualitative) research on the health, well-being and quality of life of schoolchildren is indicated.

The association between physical fitness, sports club participation and body mass index on health-related quality of life in primary school children from a socioeconomically deprived area of England

We examined associations between physical fitness components, body mass index (BMI) and sports club participation on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in 8- to 11-year-old children from a socioeconomically deprived region of England. From May-October 2019, 432 children completed the HRQoL questionnaire Kidscreen-27 and Leisure Time Physical Activity Survey, and a physical fitness testing battery of 20 m shuttle run test (20mSRT), handgrip strength (Handgrip), standing broad jump (Broad Jump), and sit-and-reach. Height, body mass, BMI and somatic maturity data were collected. Comparisons with reference populations were undertaken using a quintile framework. Linear and quantile regression assessed associations between physical fitness components and HRQoL variables. Using English Indices of Multiple Deprivation, 90% of children were from the most deprived quintile and 39% were overweight or obese. More children scored poorly on the Physical Wellbeing (40%) and Psychological Wellbeing (45%) HRQoL domains than the reference population (31%). Physical fitness scores were generally classed as ‘low’-’very low’ (42–58%). 20mSRT and Broad Jump performance explained an additional 10.7% of variance in Physical Wellbeing after adjusting for BMI z-score, sex and age (total R2 21.2%). Quantile regression identified a subset of children who rated Physical Wellbeing as high regardless of 20mSRT performance. Sports club participation was associated with better 20mSRT and Broad Jump performance, and all domains of HRQoL. Our data indicate that some physical fitness components and sports club participation are positively associated with HRQoL of children from socioeconomically deprived areas, irrespective of BMI z-score. Interventions to improve HRQoL should consider both aspects.

Longitudinal changes in quality of life and psychosocial problems of primary school children in a deprived urban neighborhood over the course of a school-based integrated approach

The municipality of Amsterdam implemented a 2-year school-based integrated approach in schools in a deprived neighborhood. The integrated approach targeted the domains of education, health and poverty and the children’s school, neighborhood and home environment by involving various agencies and actors. In this study, changes in children’s quality of life and psychosocial problems over the course of the integrated approach were examined and evaluated. A dynamic cohort design was used. At five measurement occasions (T1–T5) during 2 years, children from four consecutive grades in five schools filled out a questionnaire (total n = 614). In children between 7 and 13 years, quality of life was measured with the KIDSCREEN-10. In children between 9 and 13 years, psychosocial problems were measured with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Generalized estimating equations were applied. Time, sex, age, socio-economic status, ethnic background, grade, and school were included as independent variables. Quality of life was higher from the first follow-up during the approach (T2) until the end of the approach (T4) compared to at the start of the approach (T1). At T5, several months after the approach ended, scores returned back to baseline. Likewise, a reduction in children’s psychosocial problems was detected at the end of the approach (T4) compared to at the start of the approach (T1). However, both before and after that time point, no improvements were detected. This study shows that integrated approaches can be beneficial for children’s quality of life and psychosocial health, but continued investments may be needed to maintain established improvements.Trial registration NTR6571 (NL6395), August 4 2017 retrospectively registered.

Влияние хронической лямблиозной инвазии на качество жизни детей школьного возраста

Актуальность. Сохранению здоровья детей посвящено много исследовательских работ. Одним из критериев оценки состояния ребенка является качество его жизни. В литературе широко используется термин «качество жизни, обусловленное здоровьем», который подразумевает характеристику различных сторон состояния организма — как связанных, так и не связанных с болезнью. Качество жизни при лямблиозе у детей до сих пор не изучено. Целью исследования стало изучение показателей качества жизни детей школьного возраста с хроническим течением лямблиоза. Материалы и методы. Под наблюдением находились 126 детей с хроническим лямблиозом в возрасте от 13 до 18 лет. Контрольную группу составили относительно здоровые дети (72 человека) того же возраста. Дети с лямблиозом основной группы принадлежали к разным возрастным подгруппам: I подгруппу составили пациенты подросткового возраста: мальчики 13–16 лет и девочки 12–15 лет — 64 человека (50,79 %), II подгруппу — юношеского возраста: юноши 17–18 лет и девушки 16–18 лет — 62 человека (49,21 %). Инструментом изучения качества жизни детей в исследуемых группах стал международный опросник MOS SF-36. Результаты. Установлено, что большинство показателей качества жизни детей с лямблиозом оказались ниже в сравнении с контрольной группой. Выявлено более значимое снижение показателей в юношеском возрасте. Самые низкие показатели касались области психологического компонента здоровья. Уровень психического здоровья в этой подгруппе снизился до 41,02 ± 2,04 балла, что ниже (р &lt; 0,05), чем в контрольной подгруппе (65,12 ± 3,89 балла). При преимущественном поражении пищеварительной системы показатели физического компонента здоровья были на 12–19 баллов ниже. При поражении других органов и систем показатели психического компонента здоровья были ниже на 12–16 баллов, что обусловлено присутствием в подгруппе 87,1 % человек с астеноневротическим синдромом. Выводы. Лямблиозная инвазия снижает показатели качества жизни. Более низкие показатели установлены в юношеском возрасте. Показатели психологической сферы снижены при астеноневротическом синдроме, физической — при поражении пищеварительной системы.

ГЕНДЕРНЫЕ ОСОБЕННОСТИ КАЧЕСТВА ЖИЗНИ ДЕТЕЙ МЛАДШЕГО ШКОЛЬНОГО ВОЗРАСТА ПРИ РАЗНОМ КОГНИТИВНОМ РАЗВИТИИ

The current problems of pediatrics are the individual approach and optimization of the quality of life of primary school children. The aim of our research was to study the quality of life among children of primary school age according to their cognitive development and gender and age characteristics. Materials and methods of research: cognitive development was studied using the D. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, the Stanford-Binet intelligence scale and the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT). As a result, 573 primary school children were divided into 2 groups: I with a high cognitive level (82 people) and II with an average level (491 people). The PedsQL 4.0 questionnaire, used by children attending schools in cities of Rostov-on-Don and Lugansk for 4 years, served as a tool for quality of life. Physical, emotional, social functioning, psycho-social health have been studied, as well as an overall quality of life score. More reduced quality of life indicators were found in children with a high cognitive level, with the exception of school functioning. Girls levels of cognition have been found to have lower levels of physical and emotional functioning than boys, but higher levels of social functioning. Conclusions: there is a need to change the way children are taught in gym classes and to provide additional counseling for child psychologists and pediatricians in order to optimize children’s education.

Health-Related Quality of Life in School Children with Short Stature in Gharbia Governorate in Egypt

Background: Short stature (SS) in a child is defined as a child 2 or more standard deviations below the mean height for children of that gender and chronological age. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) reflects physical, psychological, social, cognitive, functional and behavioral dimensions of well-being and functioning as perceived by the person concerned, in a wide range of conditions between excellent and poor health. Objective: To assess HRQOL for children and adolescents with short stature (SS). Patients and Methods: In order to assess the HRQOL for SS patients, we studied 392 school children (preparatory and secondary) who meet the diagnosis of SS according to definition of WHO for short stature of child height below or equal 3rd percentile on WHO Growth chart in children of same gender and chronological age . Both sexes were included and age ranged from 12 to 18 years. Results: According to family history, more than 2/3 of the children with SS had negative consanguinity. 1.5% was with positive family history of a similar condition and 15 % had positive family history of chronic disease. There was significant lower HRQOL in children with SS concerning physical, psychological and environmental World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) domains. The psychological domain is the most affected one. A comparison of sex groups (males and females) in relation to different domains among cases but it did not reach statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Pediatric patients with SS have lower HRQOL. Social domain is the most affected among SS children.

Burden and preference-based quality of life associated with bullying in children.

The objectives of this study are to assess the association between childhood bullying and preference-based health-related quality of life (QoL) in Australian school children and their parents and estimate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) associated with bullying chronicity. Children aged 8-10years completed the child health utilities (CHU-9D), while parents completed the Australian quality of life (AQoL-8D). Children were grouped into four categories of bullying involvement (no bullying, victim, perpetrator, or both perpetrator and victim) based on the Revised Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire. Parental data were compared across two bullying involvement groups (bullying vs. no bullying). QALYs were calculated for children over two years and comparisons made based on the number of assessments where bullying was reported(baseline, 1- and 2-year follow up). Children who were involved in bullying (victims and/or perpetrators) reported statistically significantly lower mean utility scores compared to children who were not involved in bullying. Parents whose child was involved in bullying had significantly lower mean utility scores compared to parents of children not involved with bullying. There appeared to be a dose-response relationship, with higher QALY losses associated with increasing frequency of reported bullying. Bullying among Australian school children was associated with significantly lower preference-based QoL for themselves and their parents. This study also confirmed the significant burden of disease for bullying among children measured by an incremental decrease in QALY with an increasing chronicity of bullying over time.

Impact of Acne on the Quality of Life of Adolescent School Children and University Students

Acne is a common skin disorder caused due to the inflammation of pilosebaceous units in the skin and has affected around 9.4% of the global population. This study evaluated the impact of acne on the quality of life (QoL) of adolescent school children and university students in Sri Lanka. The study also assessed the treatment methods, risk factors, and associations between acne severity and risk factors. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using 100 advanced level students and 200 university students with self-reported acne. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire with the Children’s Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI). The family history, premenstrual period, cosmetic usage, stress, oily skin, and oily foods were identified as severity factors for acne. There were statistically significant associations between acne severity and risk factors; oily food (χ2 = 15.241, P = 0.002), family history (χ2 = 15.241, P = 0.002), premenstrual period (χ2 = 16.593, P = 0.001), and oily skin (χ2 = 30.952, P = 0.000). The majority, 55% of school children and 73% of university students use home remedies to treat acne. The mean score of CDLQI was 1.3 in school children and 2.13 in university students. There was a statistically significant association between severity of acne and QoL (χ2 = 72.834, P = 0.000). The university students presented higher experiences of the impact of acne on QoL than school children.

Aymara Childrens’ Practice of Transcendental Meditation in Perú: A Learning History Model of Parent and Teacher Perceptions

ABSTRACT Practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique in schools and universities throughout the world has been well researched over a 50-year period suggesting it is a useful tool for student development and learning. However, introduction of the practice into school systems throughout Latin America is a relatively recent phenomenon and no research has been published on the likely or actual outcomes from this initiative. Moreover, research conducted on the practice in international settings has typically involved investigation of standard educational variables – such as academic performance, intelligence, and behavior – and has mostly used only quantitative methods and designs to do so. For this study, conducted on the practice in Puno, Perú, we have adopted a learning history approach using a third-person action research method of semi-structured interviews to hear and understand the distinct voices of parents and teachers about the consequences of practicing Transcendental Meditation on the personal, academic and social lives of Aymara school children. Results from frequency and saliency analysis indicate that a series of confirmatory as well as unique knowledge outcomes have emerged in this setting, and these are discussed in the context of international empirical results to create a learned history of the practice in Perú.

Exposure to Particulate PAHs on Potential Genotoxicity and Cancer Risk among School Children Living Near the Petrochemical Industry.

This study aimed to assess the association of exposure to particle-bound (PM2.5) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with potential genotoxicity and cancer risk among children living near the petrochemical industry and comparative populations in Malaysia. PM2.5 samples were collected using a low-volume sampler for 24 h at three primary schools located within 5 km of the industrial area and three comparative schools more than 20 km away from any industrial activity. A gas chromatography–mass spectrometer was used to determine the analysis of 16 United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) priority PAHs. A total of 205 children were randomly selected to assess the DNA damage in buccal cells, employing the comet assay. Total PAHs measured in exposed and comparative schools varied, respectively, from 61.60 to 64.64 ng m−3 and from 5.93 to 35.06 ng m−3. The PAH emission in exposed schools was contributed mainly by traffic and industrial emissions, dependent on the source apportionment. The 95th percentiles of the incremental lifetime cancer risk estimated using Monte Carlo simulation revealed that the inhalation risk for the exposed children and comparative populations was 2.22 × 10−6 and 2.95 × 10−7, respectively. The degree of DNA injury was substantially more severe among the exposed children relative to the comparative community. This study reveals that higher exposure to PAHs increases the risk of genotoxic effects and cancer among children.

Education of meaning of life values in secondary and high school: theoretical-practical aspects

The article deals with the theoretical and practical aspects of values of the meaning of life in the secondary and high school pupils. The content of the conceptual apparatus on the problem of values of the meaning of life in the pupils of the main and high school is analyzed, the key terms "meaning", "meaning of life", "purpose of life", " values of the meaning of life " are defined, the main theoretical positions and ideas are generalized. It is proved that the values of the meaning of life are the most significant component of the moral self-consciousness of the individual, which determines her attitude towards herself, people, society and characterizes her moral needs for love, goodness, freedom, justice, respect for dignity, their realization in their respective behavior and work on themselves. The essence of the problem is the need to values of the meaning of life in schoolchildren of the secondary and high school as a condition of full moral and spiritual development of the individual, the formation of viability, as well as the confrontation with stress, depression, age crises, and insufficient theoretical and methodological development of ways to educate this phenomenon in general education institutions. The use of diagnostic methods (questionnaires, flying conversation, ethical conversation, discussion, creative tasks, analysis of drawings) made it possible to identify students' ideas and judgments about the meaning of life and their life plans and perspectives. The work showed the younger adolescents' understanding of the meaning of life through moral ideals, getting pleasure from life, achieving success, using different resources to understand the meaning of life. It is confirmed that the values of the meaning of life of secondary and high school pupils should be based on humanistic ethics and morality using traditional and innovative forms and methods of work, such as project and circle activities, reader conferences, use of problem situations and art techniques. The research expanded the idea of scientific ideas about the cultivation of values of the meaning of life in secondary and high school students. The necessity of the study is determined by the fact that its conceptual provisions, ideas, experimental data and ways of values of the meaning of life in the secondary and high school pupils can be used in various studies on this issue in order to compare the results in Ukraine and European countries or the post-Soviet space in order to study the common trends, use in the development of modern techniques and personally oriented technologies for the development of values of the meaning of life among schoolchildren of different age groups.

Exploring the Experiences of Upper Elementary School Children Who are Intrinsically Motivated to Seek Information

This paper describes a naturalistic research study based on the following question, “what are the experiences in the lives of upper elementary school children that foster an intrinsic motivation to seek information?” Participants were ten-year-olds selected using a specially-created survey. Analysis, based on data collected through interviews and drawings, indicates that students came from various family and socioeconomic backgrounds, exhibited an affinity for play, and tended to be creative and non-competitive. A point-of-passion experience occurred in the lives of all of the informants, as well as the presence of “anchor” relationships. Students specified components of intrinsically motivating information seeking episodes.

Effect of Age at Cochlear Implantation in Educational Placement and Peer Relationships.

The education and school life of children who have undergone cochlear implantation (CI) is very important and should be monitored continuously. This study assessed auditory performance in children with cochlear implants over time, along with educational placement and peer relationship, and compared the results based on the age at CI and the presence of additional disabilities. In total, 77 children who had undergone CI at the Hearing Center in Ajou University Hospital at less than 10 years old and who were presently attending school or had already graduated from school within 3 years were enrolled in this study. All children had congenital bilateral severe or profound hearing loss at the diagnosis. They were classified based on the age at which they received CI: the "early-implanted group," younger than 3.5 years (n = 38), and the "late-implanted group," between 3.5 and 10 years old (n = 39). The early-implanted group had worse short-term auditory performance than the late group, but after 2 years of the implant use, auditory performance was similar in both groups. The early and late groups did not differ significantly in terms of the proportions of children who were enrolled in a regular school (94.7% and 89.7%, respectively). However, the early-implanted group had a larger proportion of children who were enrolled in a regular school without additional needs (73.0%), compared with the late group (48.6%) (p = .034). Children with multiple disabilities showed poorer performance (word score of 57.7% and sentence score of 44.7%) than children with hearing disability only (91.8% and 87.2%, respectively), which affected full-time enrollment in regular schools. With regard to peer relationships, 19.0% of children in the early-implanted group required close observation and assistance, and 9.5% even required help and counseling. Children who underwent early CI had a high tendency toward social restraint, apathy, and over-commitment. No correlations were observed between audiological factors and the aspects of peer relationships assessed in this study. Early CI and the absence of other disabilities were the two main factors that increased the likelihood of full-time enrollment in mainstream classes at regular schools. Nevertheless, many children who underwent earlier CI still encountered difficulties in peer relationships.

Assessment of electronic gadgets use and its' effects on daily life and health of primary school children

Background: Electronic devices are the latest exquisite invention of our modern life and it makes our life so easy and comfortable. Electronic gadgets are now used by the primary school children in a wider scale during the COVlD-19 pandemic. It is imperative to explore its effect of daily life and health of the school children. The objective of the study was to determine the technological interaction of the children and how it is affecting their daily routine, grades and physical health.&#x0D; Methods: This is a cross-sectional study among the students of grade four. A total 340 students were selected by random sampling method from four schools. Data were collected by face to face interview with a structured pretested questionnaire. The study was conducted at Dhanmondi Govt. Boys' High School, Kamrunnessa Govt. Girls School, Dhanmondi, Bangladesh International School and College (BISC), Mohakhali and SOS Hermann Gmeiner College, Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data were collected from May to October, 2019. Data analysis, findings and results were prepared in November and December, 2019.&#x0D; Results: Among 340 respondents of this study, maximum (78.2%) students watch TV daily, 55.9% of them play with the mobile every day and half (50%) of the students use the tablet daily. Majority (79.7%) respondents have internet at their home and 36.5% of them use the net alone. The causes of usage are- 37.9% students use for entertainment purpose, 26.5% use for education purpose and 34.4% use for both entertainment and education purpose.&#x0D; Conclusion: Children are the future generation of our country. So, it is a prime need to look into this problem and protect our children from the threat of electronic gadget use.&#x0D; JOPSOM 2020; 39(1): 78-87