HYGIENIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SAVING HEALTH OF CHILDREN IN THE QUARANTINE

Abstract

Relevance. The introduction of the quarantine measures in Ukraine during the COVID-19 pandemic radically changed all aspects of children's lifestyles. Restricting of social contacts and traveling, the introduction of distance education are typical manifestations of quarantine measures’ application to schoolchildren. However, social distancing, the effects of the negative factors of distance education, and prolonged stress can threaten the health of school-age children both at the moment and have delayed consequences. The assistance of the optimal adaptation process to new conditions decreases risks to children’s health at various levels: physical, physical, social. Objective. Development of hygienic recommendations for saving the health of schoolchildren during the quarantine. Methods. Structural-logical and analytical methods were used, based on our own 20-year research and research by other authors, WHO, and CDC recommendations. The results of our research before and during the quarantine have been presented. Results. During the introduction of quarantine measures, the health of a schoolchild is formed under the influence of a complex of factors, among which a significant place is occupied by controlled ones: properly organized learning process, daily routine, including diet and drinking regime, ensuring sufficient physical activity and night rest. To ensure the optimal course of adaptation of children in conditions of social isolation, it is also necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of children, the peculiarities of the circadian rhythm of schoolchildren of different age groups, their physical and mental development. Conclusions. Maintaining and strengthening the health of children in quarantine depends on the individual characteristics of development and health of the child, the optimal organization of distance learning, ensuring sufficient duration of physical activity, sleep, screen time, optimization of nutrition, and water consumption schedule. The promotion of health maintenance and specific recommendations would help reduce the negative influence of the quarantine measures on the formation of children's health.

Keywords

• hygienic recommendations, saving children's health, the quarantine, organizing lifestyle, distance education