Evaluation of Mental Health Among Schoolgoing Children in during COVID-19 Pandemic in Bankura Town, West Bengal, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has wreaked havoc around the world, causing serious mental health implications, especially among schoolgoing children who are most vulnerable. The pandemic has had a devastating effect on the mental health and well-being of children, with long-lasting consequences. The present study aims to understand the mental health problems, psychological well-being, and demands of school-going children. Additionally, it seeks to identify any factors associated with poor mental health status and psychological well-being during the COVID19 pandemic and the post pandemic situation. The findings will contribute to early identification and appropriate management or referrals for mental health issues. Aim: To assess the mental health status of school-going children aged 11 to 17 years during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify factors associated with poor mental health status in this group. Materials and Methods: A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Secondary and Higher Secondary schools of Bankura Town, West Bengal, India, from June 2021 to September 2021. Four schools were included in the study using simple random sampling technique, with a total of 54 school-going children per school of class VI to XI (nine students per class) included via simple random sampling. Data were collected using an interview guide in the form of a structured questionnaire on Google Forms. The data of 217 children (one additional student responded) was collected using the Paediatric Symptoms Checklist-17 (PSC Y-17) and the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC). Categorical variables were expressed as percentages, and continuous variables were expressed as mean (±SD). The association between dependent and independent variables was examined using the Chi-square (c2 ) test, with a significance level of p<0.05. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 13.67±1.76 years, with 169 (77.88%) male students and 48 (22.12%) female students. The prevalence of depressive symptoms according to CES-DC was 121 (55.76%), while the prevalence of psychological impairment according to PSC Y-17 was 39 (17.97%). Significant associations were found between death due to COVID-19 {5 (2.3%), p<0.0001}, hospital admission due to COVID-19 was {25 (11.52%), p<0.0001}, job loss due to COVID-19 was {31 (14.28%), p=0.025} and having a health worker in the family with poor mental health status {18 (8.29%), p<0.0001}. These factors were found to be associated with the participants’ poor mental health status. Conclusion: The present study revealed a substantial proportion of participants experiencing psychological impairment and depressive symptoms. It emphasises the need for proactive efforts to support the mental health and well-being of schoolgoing children through educational campaigns and psychological support programmes.