Ukrainian Children Research Articles

Briefly Noted

On March 17, 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The court alleges that he is responsible for war crimes committed since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, including the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. The Russian commissioner for children's rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, is also wanted by the ICC.

Main trends in physical and psycho-emotional health of preschool children in Ukraine

Children are increasingly at risk of various diseases, which has a rather negative impact on their intellectual development and can slow down social development in general, and therefore there is a need to address this issue. The main purpose of this study was to examine and analyse the state of physical, psychological, and social health of children in Ukraine based on preschool educational institutions in Mukachevo. The study used the Sensorimotor technique and the computer programme Efecton Studio 2009 to investigate preschool children’s visual-motor reactions. The Rufier-Dixon and Henchy tests were used to assess the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. It was found that every third child has problems in physical or intellectual development. It was substantiated that the tense sanitary and epidemiological situation in the country, environmental pollution, lower living standards of most families and access to medical care, insufficient physical activity, as well as environmental problems contribute to the deterioration of the psychophysical state of preschool children. It was emphasised that maintaining a healthy physical condition is an important element for the normal functioning and growth of a young organism. It was emphasised that the period of adaptation to school, which current preschoolers will go through in the future, depends considerably on the child’s health, as healthy children can better cope with mental and physical stress. It was found that most preschoolers have limited knowledge about healthy lifestyles. Only 28% of children understand what food is healthy, and 18% know the importance of eating fresh food. This indicates the need for more active work with children on healthy eating and lifestyles in general. It was found that many adults also do not have a holistic understanding of the principles of proper nutrition and do not discuss these issues with children, and therefore it is important to pay attention to adult education in the field of health and nutrition. The practical significance of the study is that all the theoretical provisions, conclusions and recommendations can be used by teachers and students of educational institutions to improve knowledge about the trends in the health status of preschoolers and schoolchildren in Ukraine, as well as by other scientists for in-depth study of the problem.

Analysis of the physical development of athletes aged 8-10 in dance sports

The article presents a comparative analysis of physical development parameters by age and gender categories. The analysis was conducted among 8-10-year-old athletes from the dance sport of the sports club "Courage" in the city of Kharkiv and the standard of children of Ukraine. The conducted research proves the presence of a fairly high variation of the individual characteristics of the physical development of athletes. The circumference of the chest of male and female partners indicates the normal rate of development of the respiratory apparatus of the athletes under study. The analysis of height and body weight indicates an accelerated rate of maturation of the bodies of female partners of all studied age groups and the bodies of 9-year-old partners. The body weight and height parameters of the 8- and 10-year-old partners are within the limits of the standard for Ukrainian children of this age. The obtained data made it possible to plan training loads adequate to the individual parameters of the studied athletes in dance sports. The collected data will also be used in the selection of athletes for joint sports activities in dance sports.

Change in child mental health during the Ukraine war: evidence from a large sample of parents.

The ongoing war in Ukraine is expected to negatively impact the mental health of the country's population. This study aims to provide a preliminary estimate of the degree of change in the mental health problems of Ukrainian children following Russia's invasion in February 2022, and to identify the sociodemographic and war-related risk factors associated with these changes. A nationwide, opportunistic sample of 1238 parents reported on a single randomly chosen child within their household as part of The Mental Health of Parents and Children in Ukraine Study. Data were collected between July 15th and September 5th, 2022. Participants completed modified versions of the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC-17) which was adapted to capture change in the frequency of symptoms since the beginning of the war. Parents reported increases across all 17 indicators of internalizing, externalizing, and attention problems of the PSC-17. Increased problems were most pronounced within the internalizing domain, with 35% of parents reporting that their child worried more since the beginning of the war. A number of individual, parental, and war-related factors were associated with increases across the three domains. Exposure to war trauma, pre-existing mental health problems, and child age were among the strongest predictors of change. This survey provides preliminary evidence that the Russian war on Ukraine has led to an increase in common mental health problems among children in the general population. Further research is required to determine the extent and sequela of this increase, and to develop intervention strategies for those most in need.

Healthcare-associated infections in children in Ukraine during 2009–2021

Healthcare-associated infections in children in Ukraine during 2009–2021

Problems of providing medical care to children of Ukraine as a result of russian aggression

Background. The russian aggression in Ukraine has caused numerous casualties among civilians, including children. Military actions lead directly or indirectly to increased morbidity in adults and children and to chronic stress, especially in children. The purpose of this research was to analyze the problems of providing medical assistance to the children of Ukraine who are suffering from the russian invasion. Materials and methods. We have used the official statistical and own data for 2022–2023. Results. Currently, more than 7.5 million Ukrainian children are suffering from the war, not only due to physical injuries but also violations of their mental and psycho-emotional state. A special problem for Ukrainian paediatricians at the beginning of 2023 was an increase in the incidence of acute respiratory diseases, COVID-19 and stress disorders in children due to a shortage of medical personnel and infrastructure. Also, in conditions of limited access to medical care and medicines, it is necessary to pay attention to chronic diseases, in particular, asthma and other allergic diseases. Paediatricians from the departments of the Bogomolets National Medical University provided voluntary assistance to children in frontline regions. Conclusions. In the new conditions of warfare, where civilians and life support infrastructure have become the target of armed attacks, children have become the most vulnerable group. The issues of restoration of full medical care for children, including emergency and urgent care, provision with doctors of certain paediatric specialties, full supply of medicines and medical devices, and restoration of destroyed medical infrastructure remain extremely relevant to the health system in the frontline and liberated areas.

State measures to protect the rights of children on the territory of Ukraine under martial law

The relevance of the study is due to the fact that in the conditions of war, Ukrainian children experience physical, psychological, and social difficulties. In these difficult conditions, the state must guarantee children, as the most vulnerable segments of the population, safety and protection. The purpose of the study is to determine what measures are appropriate to implement or have already been implemented to protect the rights of children under martial law and determine their effectiveness. For obtaining complete and objective information the methods of system analysis, concretisation and abstraction, determinism, induction, and deduction are used. The paper analyses the methods and measures of the state to protect the rights of children in Ukraine during the war. The legal framework regulating the protection of children’s rights under martial law is considered. It is noted that the examination of methods of protecting the rights of children under martial law is of great importance for improving the quality of life of children and improving the situation with their safety. The results of the study justify that the state should guarantee a safe place for children to live and study; it should also conduct safe evacuation of children to other cities or countries and provide assistance in moving to other areas. It is also important to ensure that children have access to healthcare. In addition, the state should provide children with the opportunity to receive education in a safe environment, in particular, remotely. In addition to physical safety, children should be protected from the negative consequences of war from a psychological standpoint. The study is practically relevant for law enforcement, as it provides a deep understanding of what measures should be taken to ensure the protection of children’s rights during martial law

Особливості впливу рівня освіти батьків на масу тіла дітей

The problem of deviation of body weight from normal indicators among children and adolescents is increasingly causing concern in both the medical and social aspects. This is primarily due to the high frequency of health disorders caused by such conditions (endocrine pathologies, diseases of the cardiovascular system, psycho-emotional disorders) that begin in childhood. Aim. To investigate and determine the relationship between the level of education of parents and the body mass index of their child. Materials and Methods. On the basis of the "Family and Children of Ukraine" program, the relationship between the level of education of parents and the body weight of adolescents was analyzed. For the analysis, a relative database of 1,075 teenagers aged 15-18 (residents of the Dnipropetrovsk region) were used. Answers from a set of questionnaires ("Questionnaire of the mother of a teenager 15-18 years old", "Questionnaire of a teenager 15-18 years old") were analyzed. Results. Data were obtained that more than a quarter of children (both among boys and girls) in adolescence have deviations from normal indicators of the body mass index, regardless of the educational level of their parents. Among teenagers, where both parents have the same educational level, this indicator is 27.0% in the presence of secondary education in the couple and 27.7% in the presence of higher education in the couple. Deficit body weight of adolescents with secondary education in both parents was determined in 18.1% of the examined (among boys - in 16.7% of cases, among girls - in 19.6%); in the presence of higher education in both parents, body weight deficiency was determined in 14.2% of adolescents (among boys – in 11.5% of cases, among girls - in 16.3%). Increased body weight of adolescents with secondary education in both parents was determined in 8.8% of the examined (among boys - in 10.2% of cases, among girls - in 7.5%); in the presence of higher education in both parents, increased body weight was determined in 13.5% of adolescents (among boys - in 16.4% of cases, among girls - in 11.3%). Conclusions. The obtained data indicate certain features of the influence of parents' education level on deviations from normal indicators of the mass index, both among boys and girls. This issue requires further scientific research to be taken into account when developing relevant recommendations and prevention programs. Keywords: body mass index, education, teenagers, parents.

ABDUCTION OF UKRAINIAN CHILDREN DURING FULL-SCALE INVASION

Protecting and ensuring the rights of children is one of the crucial and fundamental tasks of the state, as children represent the future of any nation in the world. In the present circumstances, the attention and measures from Ukrainian authorities and society, demand clear and effective adherence to international standards regarding the rights of children, who have been illegally displaced and taken out of Ukraine. According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, every child has the right to protection from any form of violence, including protection against illegal removal from their country. The actions taken by the aggressor state against Ukrainian children pose a direct threat to the lives and health of the civilian population, contravene international and domestic laws, and violate the constitutional rights and freedoms of Ukrainian citizens. Our country must ensure the restoration of children’s connections with their parents or other family members who are within the territory of Ukraine. The state authorities should exercise effective control over the exportation of children beyond the country’s borders, establish the reasons and circumstances of illegal removal, and participate in international cooperation with other countries to facilitate the return of illegally removed children to Ukrainian territory. However, in the conditions of war, fully controlling and unquestionably implementing this issue is difficult and problematic. The return of illegally removed children to Ukrainian territory and the protection of those who are in temporarily occupied territories constitutes a lengthy and challenging process that requires adequate efforts and significant legal support and resources. One of the top priorities for our state is the necessity to establish an effective system for safeguarding children’s rights, which would assist in their return to Ukrainian territory and their subsequent effective integration into society. Therefore, the practical implementation of comprehensive measures worldwide necessitates the development of new legal mechanisms for protecting children’s rights that would operate in conditions of war and allow international legal institutions to promptly respond to any violations of children’s rights.

International legal regulation of social protection of homeless and neglected children in conditions of war

The article examines the current state of state policy in the field of social protection of homeless and neglected children in wartime conditions. The special relevance of this topic is due to the increase in the number of homeless and neglected children due to the full-scale invasion of the russian federation.
 Attention is focused on the fact that orphan hood is a social phenomenon that is caused by the existence in society of children whose parents have died, or children who have been left without parental care due to the deprivation of parental rights, being recognized as disabled, missing, etc. Because of the war in Ukraine, thousands of children remain orphans, lose contact with their relatives and find themselves in difficult life circumstances.
 The main normative legal acts regulating the protection of children's rights are analyzed - the Universal Declaration of Geneva, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the Declaration on the Rights of the Child, the Declaration on the Protection of Women and Children in Extraordinary Circumstances and During Armed Conflicts, Convention on the Rights of the Child, Optional Protocol on the Participation of Children in Armed Conflicts.
 Among the main national normative legal acts that regulate the issue of social protection of children are the laws of Ukraine "On ensuring the rights and freedoms of citizens and the legal regime in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine", "On amending some laws of Ukraine aimed at strengthening the social protection of children and support families with children", "On the protection of childhood", resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine "On approval of the Procedure for granting the status of a child who suffered as a result of hostilities and armed conflicts", "On amendments to some resolutions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on the protection of children's rights during the period of emergency or war state".
 The number of injured children in Ukraine as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation was analyzed, attention was paid to the issue of ensuring the child's right to safety, legislative regulation of ensuring the child's right to education, as well as problematic aspects that arise during the realization of this right. Peculiarities of placement of children who were left without parental care as a result of the invasion of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine in family-type orphanages and foster families were studied.

Understanding Russia’s Actions in Ukraine as the Crime of Genocide

Abstract The new wave of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine that began on 24 February 2022, and the intensification of the armed conflict accompanied by grave breaches of international humanitarian law, has received significant scholarly attention. Many academic interventions have examined the developments in Ukraine through the frameworks of jus ad bellum and jus in bello. Some, however, have applied a genocide lens to make sense of reported numerous and widespread violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. This article contributes to the latter stream of scholarship by contextualizing the arguments for the existence of genocidal intent behind the seemingly unrelated crimes committed by the armed forces of the Russian Federation all over Ukraine. The authors pay particular attention to the language and pseudo-historical references used by Russia’s leaders as a justification for the invasion of Ukraine and argue that these statements and expressions indicate the existence of genocidal intent. This article also reflects on the issue of the systematic destruction of cultural heritage of Ukraine as further evidence of the intent to destroy the Ukrainian nation understood as a protected national group under the Genocide Convention, at least in part. Finally, the authors analyse the genocidal acts that have apparently been committed, including killings; the causing of serious bodily or mental harm; the forcible transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia, and the deliberate infliction of conditions of life aimed at the physical destruction of the Ukrainian nation. It is stressed that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the destruction of the Ukrainian nation by Russia has been pursued through commission of these prohibited acts. Their nature and large-scale character serve as further evidence of genocidal intent to destroy the Ukrainian nation.

Etiological spectrum of pneumonia in children in Kyiv, Ukraine

Background. In Ukraine over the past 20 years, the incidence of pneumonia in children has increased. The aim of the study is to assess the contribution of respiratory viruses and bacteria to pneumonia in children in Ukraine. Materials and methods. The etiology of community-acquired pneumonia was studied in 175 children at Medical Center “Eurolab” and Clinical Hospital 2 (Kyiv, Ukraine) over 2018–2022. Viral and bacterial pathogens were detected using polymerase chain reaction, chromatographic immunoassay. Results. The prevalence of viral pneumonia among total cases of pneumonia was 78.9 % in Kyiv during 2018–2022. Thirty-seven (21.1 %) cases of CAP were classified as bacterial. The most common were respiratory syncytial virus (18.1 %), metapneumovirus (13 %), adenovirus (10.1 %), parainfluenza virus (10.1 %). The other causative viral agents were influenza virus type A (7.2 %), rhinovirus (5 %), bocavirus (2.9 %), SARS-CoV-2 (1.4 %) and measles virus (1.4 %). Etiological spectrum is similar to the results of studies conducted in other European countries. Conclusions. Respiratory viruses, particularly respiratory syncytial virus and metapneumovirus, are the major contributors to community-acquired pneumonia in children in Kyiv.

Epidemiological, Clinical, and Laboratory Features of Children with SARS-CoV-2 in Ukraine.

In December 2019, the Chinese city of Wuhan reported the first cases of pneumonia from a new type of beta coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2. In the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak, paediatric patients were thought to be immune to the new virus; however, further studies have shown people of all ages to be susceptible to the virus. Identify and describe the clinical and epidemiological features of COVID-19 among hospitalized children in Ukraine. Retrospective study of 171 children aged 2 months to 18 years who were hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2. Most patients in the study had a moderate progression of the disease (77.78%, or n=133), whereas a severe course was noted in 22.22% (n=38). Across age groups, children aged 6-12 was the predominant age group affected (35.67%, or n=61). The most common symptoms were fever in 88.2% of patients, sore throat in 69.2% and cough in 60.9%. Symptoms associated with dyspnoea and cyanosis were significantly more common in children with the severe course (p<0.05). Almost half of children had at least one comorbidity, the most prevalent being chronic tonsillitis (11.8% of patients) and anemia (6.5% of patients). A positive correlation (r=0.7 p<0.05) was found between CRP levels and COVID-19 severity. X-ray changes in the lungs were present in 76.61% of examined children and ground-glass opacity symptom was registered in 50.88%. COVID-19 among hospitalized children in Ukraine usually has a moderate course of illness and a good prognosis.

Enhancing health and well-being: unlocking the speed abilities of 9-year-old primary school children

Background and Study Aim. Physical activity is the key to fostering healthy growth and development in children. Encouraging children to engage in activities that enhance their speed abilities not only boosts their physical fitness but also contributes to their mental and emotional well-being. The purpose of the study - exploring speed abilities: a comparative study of 9-year-old primary school children in Ukraine and beyond.&#x0D; Materials and Methods. The study was conducted at Kharkiv Central Educational School № 105 in Ukraine. A total of 29 children from the 4th grade (17 boys and 12 girls) participated in the study. These children were previously screened by a medical practitioner and were found to be in good health. Informed consent was obtained from the parents or guardians of the children, emphasizing their voluntary participation and the potential benefits and risks associated with the study. The study focused on assessing the speed abilities of the participating children. The tests included: 1) Running 30 meters (The time taken by each participant to run a distance of 30 meters was recorded in seconds); 2) Jumping rope (The number of times each participant successfully completed jumping rope within one minute was measured).&#x0D; Results. The study revealed that the general level of development of speed abilities among the participating children corresponded to the average level observed for this age group. Jumping Rope Results: 1) Boys - the average number of successful jumps per minute was 74.94 ± 13.85; 2) Girls - the average number of successful jumps per minute was 76.00 ± 28.16. 30-Meter Run Results: 1) Boys - the average time taken to complete the run was 6.64 ± 0.10 seconds; 2) Girls - the average time taken to complete the run was 6.63 ± 0.11 seconds.&#x0D; Conclusions. The findings of this study contribute to the existing body of knowledge on the speed abilities of 9-year-old primary schoolchildren, offering valuable insights for educators, researchers, and policymakers. Understanding the specific performance levels of boys and girls in jumping rope and running can inform the development of targeted interventions and programs aimed at enhancing speed-related skills among this age group.

A Current Management Strategy for Children with Chronic Viral Hepatitis B, Based on International and National Guidelines.

Peculiarities of the course of chronic viral hepatitis B in children cause an important medical and social problem of health care, despite the implementation of modern treatment and prevention protocols. Pathogenetic mechanisms of the development and progression of viral hepatitis B infection, the presence of occult poorly diagnosed form, the impossibility of completely eliminating the virus and the specificity of the immune response in children are still not fully solved scientific problems. The aim of this review is to examine current strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis B in children, based on international and national guidelines. A detailed analysis of modern guidelines on the course and pathogenesis of viral hepatitis B infection confirms the fact that chronic hepatitis B is characterised by a complex interaction between the immune system of the virus and the patient, whose dynamic balance is not only responsible for the various phases of chronic viral hepatitis B infection but also leads to the result of antiviral treatment. Despite the introduction of vaccination of children against hepatitis B, the level of viral hepatitis B vaccination of children in Ukraine remains insufficient, which leads to the further spread of the infection. Currently available antiviral drugs can provide functional treatment of viral hepatitis B infection in a limited number of patients, but today's Ukrainian realities have caused a change in approach to the treatment and monitoring of patients, which may negatively affect the implementation of the key goals of the World Health Organization Global Strategy on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis.

THEORETICAL AND APPLIED ASPECTS OF SOCIAL AND PEDAGOGICAL WORK WITH FAMILIES OF LABOUR MIGRANTS

The article deals with the problem of social orphanhood as a result of labour migration of parents. It requires effective assistance to children in combating the negative consequences of the distant way of family existence. The long absence of parents in a child&amp;apos; daily life affects his or her psychical and emotional state. It can lead to deprivation (inability to meet basic life needs for a long time), in particular, sensory deprivation (reduction in the number of sensitive stimulus or their restriction); cognitive deprivation (the structure of the surrounding world is perceived without a clear order and meaning); emotional deprivation (restrictions in establishing emotional contact or interruption of emotional connection); social deprivation (limited ability to understand an independent social role through identification with an adult). It has been established that the basis of social and pedagogical work with children of labour migrants is made up of social work technologies, which include social adaptation; rehabilitation; compensation; prevention; correction; social support; social protection; social security, social control; social propaganda, etc. It has been studied that internally displaced persons (IDPs) need to solve basic household issues and a range of problems faced by distant families (if one of the parents remained in the occupied territory or abroad, and the children in Ukraine), but in an advanced post-traumatic state. As for children of labour migrants (as children in care) and children from internally displaced persons (IDPs), general secondary education establishments (GSEEs) in Rivne provide social and pedagogical measures for adaptation, diagnosis, prevention of these children from falling into the «risk group», psychological correction and psychotherapy, and social support.

Certain aspects of guaranteeing the implementation of the rights of internally displaced children in Ukraine

The article examines certain aspects of guaranteeing the implementation of the rights of internally displaced children in Ukraine. It was noted that one of the most vulnerable groups in the conditions of war are children, in particular, not only IDP children, refugee children, children staying in occupied territories, in the territories of active hostilities, but also children living in relatively safe territories.&#x0D; The importance of guaranteeing the safety of children in the conditions of war in Ukraine is noted, as well as taking into account the best interests of the child to provide the child with such protection and care as is necessary for his well-being, taking into account the rights and obligations of his parents or other legal representatives. It is justified that it is the state that has the obligation to ensure that the institutions, services and bodies responsible for the care of children or their protection comply with the norms established by the competent authorities, in particular, in the field of safety and security.&#x0D; The implementation of the principle of the best interests of the child in the legislation and judicial practice of Ukraine was analyzed, and the practice during the war was clarified. It is substantiated that in the conditions of war, children need proper protection, social support, guarantee of quality legal assistance, implementation of the right to housing, education, family reunification, etc. Martial law is not a reason to limit the application of the principle of the best interests of the child.&#x0D; It was reasonable, from the point of view of protecting the rights of the child and guaranteeing its best interests, to give children from the age of 14 the opportunity to independently apply for registration as IDPs. It has been proven that in Ukraine, in order to guarantee the realization of the rights of IDP children, various instruments are implemented, which are based on the principle of the best interests of the child and aim to guarantee the safety and respect for the child's dignity.

Клінічний випадок маніфестації первинного імунодефіциту з лімфоми Беркіта

Lymphoma is a group of neoplastic diseases characterized by the clonal proliferation of lymphoid cells, manifested by the response of various stages of differentiation of normal B-lymphocytes, less often T-lymphocytes or natural killer cells. The etiology of most lymphomas is unknown. Some of the proven causal-consequence factors are: viral infections and immunodeficiency conditions. Purpose - to draw the attention of non-immunologists to the peculiarities of detecting the primary immunodeficiency (PID) states and the problem of their late diagnosis based on the data of a clinical case. Clinical case. A clinical observation of severe non-genetically differentiated PID is given. Screening signs of PID in the form of recurrent infectious respiratory tract syndrome and frequent long-term use of antibacterial drugs are highlighted, which should alert doctors to clinical and immunological markers of primary immunodeficiency. The presence of Burkitt's lymphoma in the boy also does not exclude the possibility of the manifestation of an immunodeficiency state, both secondary to the drug treatment of lymphoma, and primary, which can manifest itself in puberty. Common variable immunodeficiency is one of those PIDs that "starts" with Burkitt's lymphoma. Conclusions. The problem of low detection of probable PID in children in Ukraine is urgent. Primary care physicians are the first to be able to partially solve this problem by examining the infectious history and laboratory screening tests. There is incomplete awareness of related medical specialties regarding the signs of PID in lymphoproliferative syndrome in children. This clinical case demonstrates signs of PID at an early age. Low detection is also associated with poor capacity and quality and/or lack of immunological laboratory testing, particularly in public facilities. The research was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The informed consent of the of the child’s parents was obtained for the research No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND PEDAGOGICAL CONDITIONS FOR FORMING A VALUE RELATIONSHIP TO THE HEALTH OF STUDENTS OF CHEMICAL SPECIALTIES

The article examines the problem of forming a value attitude to health among students of chemical specialties, identifies the psychological and pedagogical conditions of this process. Currently, the problem of preserving and strengthening the health of the younger generation occupies one of the leading places in the system of social values and priorities of society. As a kind of indicator of social progress and a reflection of the socio-economic well-being of the country, human health appears to be a powerful social and economic potential of society. Health is an integral indicator of quality of life. Nowadays, the problems of quality of life and health of the population, especially young people, are the subject of considerable attention of many scientists, public figures and the state, which is reflected in numerous legislative documents, namely: Law of Ukraine «On Education», «On General Secondary Education», «On Higher Education», «Ukraine of the XXI Century» , the National Program «Children of Ukraine», the Concept of «Health through Education», the Concept of Humanitarian Development of Ukraine. At the same time, unfavorable living conditions lead to various deviations in the moral and physical health of the younger generation, the emergence of social problems associated with the hobby of young people for narcotic and psychoactive substances, alcohol and tobacco smoking, which are acquiring catastrophic proportions. Therefore, it is necessary to form a value attitude towards a healthy lifestyle, encourages the comprehension of positive pedagogical practice, analysis of existing pedagogical ideas to help the younger generation in search of values for leading a healthy lifestyle. The article substantiates the psychological and pedagogical conditions for the formation of a value attitude towards the health of students of chemical specialties through the use of active teaching methods, special classes for mastering knowledge about health, which contributes to its support, strengthening and preservation, the widespread use of methods of emotional impact, which are aimed at the formation of value attitudes future health professionals.

Psychosocial Support Interventions for Children During Ongoing War in Ukraine: A Pilot Study

Introduction:This presentation describes an initiative to provide psychosocial support to children in Ukraine during the ongoing war using a children’s storybook, coloring book, and activity book. The resources promote emotion identification, self-expression, coping skills, and social support–variables with empirical support in promoting children’s mental health in response to trauma.Method:The book: “An Unusual Situation” is a bibliotherapy intervention for children struggling with difficult situations. By identifying with the characters, children learn about their own struggles, they learn that other children share similar concerns, and learn important coping skills.The book was translated into Ukrainian and Russian; supplementary materials including a coloring book, activity book and a guidebook were developed. Following a three-hour training, Ukrainian mental health professionals worked with children on the materials in their respective wartime settings.Results:Results of the following research questions will be presented: 1)How do mental health professionals working with children in Ukraine utilize the associated book resources measured by a survey and completed by the professionals engaged in the project.2)What do children who use these resources report about their experiences coping with the ongoing war, measured by: a)Collecting children’s responses in the activity book.b)Surveying the mental health professionals about their observations of the children during the intervention process.3)Does the intervention reduce children’s distress, interpersonal functioning, or problematic behaviors, measured by pre-post scores on the Youth Outcome Questionnaire 2.0.Conclusion:This pilot study will provide information to guide the implementation of a broad psychosocial support intervention for children living in the setting of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Conclusions to be presented include: 1)Tailoring the intervention to the current needs of Ukrainian children2)Designing a wide-scale implementation plan tailored to Ukrainian mental health professionals’ recommendations3)Addressing barriers to implementation.