Impact of COVID-19 Outbreak on the Level of Worry and Its Association to Modified Active Mobility Behaviour among Australian Children: A Cross-Sectional National Study

Abstract

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical health of children is limited. However, the changes in life behaviour imposed to contain its spread may have prolonged lifelong impact, particularly on vulnerable child populations. These potential harms can be mitigated, but require identification of those most at risk. This paper aims to analyze the spatial disparity of the impact COVID-19 outbreak placed on parents and their primary school-age children’s (grades 4–6) levels of worry. We conducted a national online survey sampling of parents and their children across five Australian states. Participants were recruited using social media for western Australia and a research company for the remaining states. Postal code, socio-demographics, exposures to COVID-19 cases, amount and frequency of following the news before and during the pandemic outbreak were captured. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate spatial statistical analyses were performed. Parents’ level of worry related to COVID-19 is significantly associated with parents’ amount and frequency of following COVID-19 news. It is critical to convey urgent information for public health awareness during health crises such as COVID-19. However, limiting the amount of exposure time towards unneeded media news may reduce population anxiety.

Keywords

• COVID-19 outbreak-related worry
• parents and primary school-aged children
• time and frequency of parents’ exposure to media
• geospatial analysis