INTRODUCTION:

A novel coronavirus outbreak has spread globally, as of 2 May 2020, more than 3.35 million cases have been reported across 187 countries and territories, resulting in more than 238,000 deaths. More than 1.05 million people have recovered. The first case of COVID-19 in India was confirmed in Thrissur, Kerala, on 30 January 2020. In India as of 2 May 2020, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have confirmed a total of 37,776 cases, 10,018 recoveries (including 1 migration) and 1223 deaths in the country.

The first case of the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic in Maharashtra was confirmed on 9 March 2020. The state has confirmed a total of 11506 cases, including 485 deaths and 1,879 recoveries, as of 1 May 2020. Experts suggest the number of infections could be much higher as India's testing rates are among the lowest in the world. The infection rate of COVID-19 in India is reported to be 1.7, significantly lower than in the worst affected countries.

In difficult situations it is normal for children and other family members to show strong emotions like feeling sad, irritable or confused, having sleeping disorders, physical reactions and fear. Persistent distress may result in mental health conditions and long-term impacts on the functioning and coping ability of both children and parents. Every individual reacts differently to the scenario. Some parents may immediately adjust to a new home routine, some may struggle balancing work and home duties. Some children may experience intense sadness or anger, others may be withdrawn or act as if nothing has occurred.

Children are not the face of this pandemic. But they are at high risk being among its biggest victims. All children, of all ages, and in all countries, are being affected. Some 99% of the world’s children are living with restrictions on movement because of COVID-19. 60% live in countries under full or partial coronavirus lockdowns. 1.5 billion Children are out school. Children thrive when they are safe and protected, when family and community connections are stable and nurturing, and when their basic needs are met.

Being a parent is a daily challenge and faced with the realities of COVID 19, social distancing and self-quarantine, it may be a struggle. For parents, the best way to help their children is to firstly take care of themselves. Self-care during these times is not selfish because it enables the caregivers to be there for their children as a stable, calm and soothing parent. This way, parents will also be able to better understand their children and help them feel reassured, relaxed and focused. One thing that connects us all is that we are all going through this crisis together and doing our best to adapt to the new reality. Focus and dedication on the mental health and wellbeing of children and caregivers is just as important as taking precautions against the virus.

Children home stay is having its own positive and negative impacts on children.

Positive impact of lockdown in children:

· Time: in the present pandemic most of the parents are working from home, so they got sufficient time to spend with their children.

· Involvement: Parents are involved in children activities like online education, hobbies and hidden talent of their wards.

· Bonding: Increased bonding between parents and children.

· Attention: Parents can easily assess the needs, learning capabilities of their children and attentive of children activities.

Negative impact of lockdown on children:

· Exacerbating the learning crisis:

a. Countrywide closure of schools affects children and youth’s learning capabilities.

b. For children and adolescents with mental health needs, such closures mean a lack of access to the resources usually they have through schools.

· Threats to child survival and health:

a. Economic hardship experienced by families as a result of the global economic downturn could result in hundreds of thousands of additional child deaths in 2020,

b. Rising malnutrition is expected as 368.5 million children across 143 countries who normally rely on school meals for a reliable source of daily nutrition must now look to other sources.

· Risks for child safety:

Lockdowns and shelter in place measures come with heightened risk of children witnessing or suffering violence and abuse. Children’s reliance on online platforms for distance learning has also increased their risk of exposure to inappropriate content and online predators

· Physical activity:

Since lockdown, physical activity of children is almost restricted.

· Lack of communication with friends:

Restriction of direct communication with peers due to lockdown may increases tantrums.

· Irritability:

Restricted movements without any social contact other than family members may effect on mental health.

· Mental health.

a. Younger children are at great risk, as high levels of stress and isolation can affect brain development, sometimes with irreparable long-term consequences.

b. Children may feel insecure as systems collapse around them and any sense of normalcy and security is shattered.

c. As the world enters what looks to be a deep and long-lasing recession, as jobs are lost and families lose precious sources of income, children’s sense of security, safety and normalcy will be challenged.

Taking care of Mental Health of Children during COVID-19 with simple strategies (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences)

1. Provide assurance whenever needed

2. Manage your child’s anxiety

3. Engage them in indoor activities

4. Keep them in contact with their friends

5. Give them clear information

6. Make a routine of learning at home

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

STATEMENT OF STUDY:

“A study to assess parents perspectives regarding COVID-19 impact on children at Aurangabad’’

OBJECTIVE:

· To assess the parents perspectives regarding COVID-19 impact on children.

ASSUMPTIONS:

· Parents’ may be having different perspectives regarding COVID-19 pandemic.

· COVID-19 may influence on children mental health.

· There may be positive and negative impact of lockdown on children.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:

Research approach: A descriptive research approach.

Research design: Descriptive study design.

Sample: 83 parents.

Sampling technique: Non-probability purposive sampling technique.

The criteria for sample selection:

Inclusion criteria:

· Parents who are having children at their home.

· Parents with children under 18 years of age at home.

Exclusion criteria:

· Parents who are not willing to participate in the study.

Method of developing tool:

The tool used for the study was questionnaire.

Description of tool:

Tool consists of two parts:

Section A: Demographic characteristics:

The first part of the tool consists of 3 items for obtaining information the selected demographic characteristics such as Age of the child, Gender of the child, Area of residence.

Section B: Questionnaire:

Questionnaire is to assess parents’ perspectives regarding COVID-19 impact on children at Aurangabad. It consists of 20 items.

Data gathering process:

An informed consent was taken from the subjects willing to participate in the study. Data was collected by online (Google forms).

Plan for data collection:

The data obtained is analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. The plan of data analysis is as follows Frequency and percentage of the analysis of demographic data.

RESULTS:

Organization of the findings:

The data collected from parents has been organized and presented under the following headings

Section I: Frequency and percentage distribution of the demographic variables.

Section II: Assessment of parent perspectives on COVID-19 impact among children.

Section I: Frequency and percentage distribution of the demographic variables.

Table. 1: Frequency and percentage distribution of the demographic variables N=83

Sr. No.	Particulars	Frequency	Percentage
1	Age of the child
	a. Up to 5 years	37	45%
	b. 6 -10 years	21	25%
	c. 11-15 years	22	26%
	d. 16 -18 years	03	04%
2	Gender of the child
	a. Male	44	53%
	b. Female	39	47%
3	Area of residence
	a. Urban	72	87%
	b. Rural	11	13%

Table 1 indicates that majority 37 parents had up to 5 years of age children. Among children 44 were males and 39 females. Majority 72 respondents were belonging to urban area.

Section II: Assessment of parent perspectives on COVID-19 impact among children.

Table 2. Parents’ perspectives on COVID-19 impact among children. N=83

Particulars	Response
Particulars	Yes	No
Do you have fear of COVID 19 infection	65	18
Whether your child is enquiring about corona virus	63	20
Are you answering your children queries about COVID 19 pandemic	71	12
Do you always avoid contact with your children due to fear of virus	26	57
Are you worried of increase number of COVID cases	75	08
Are you able to spend quality time with your child	76	07
Does your child sleeps adequately	80	03
Does your child's anger increase during lockdown period	18	65
Does your child show interest in studies	54	29
Does your child experience frustration due to loss of usual routine activities	39	44
Does your child regularly practice yoga or exercise in lockdown period	33	50
Does your child involve in household activities	70	13
Does your child feel boredom due to lockdown	49	34
Are you concerned about your child's mental health as a result of COVID19 pandemic	48	35
Does your child's computer or mobile phone usage increase in lockdown	59	24
Whether your child is busy in social media more in lockdown period	24	59
Whether your child continuously asks to go out of the house	29	54
Do you feel your child is getting more time to explore new talents in lock down period	64	19
Are you more connected to child during lockdown	78	05
Does you child miss the physical presence of his or her friends	57	26

Fig.1. Parents perspectives on COVID-19 impact among children

Fig.1. depicts that, majority 65 parents had fear of COVID-19 infection, 63 parents reported that their child is enquiring about corona virus, 71 parents were answered corona virus related queries to their children, 57 parents never avoided contact with their children due to corona virus. Majority parents (75) worried about increase in number of COVID cases. 76 parents were able to spend quality time with their children during this lockdown period. 80 parents reported that, child sleeps adequately.

Fig. 2: Parents perspectives on COVID-19 impact among children

Fig.2. describes that, majority 65 parents noticed no increase in anger. 29 parents identified that decreased interest in studies, 44 children experiences frustration, only 33 children were practicing yoga/exercise regularly. Majority of children (70) were involved in household activities. 49 children felt bored due to lockdown. 48 parents concerned about mental health of their child due to pandemic.

Fig.3. Parents perspectives on COVID-19 impact among children

Fig.3. depicts that, majority 59 children mobile/computer usage has increased in lockdown. 24 children were always busy in social media, 29 children continuously used to ask to go out of the house during lockdown. 64 parents felt that child is getting more time to explore new talents in lockdown. 78 parents felt that they are more connected to child during lockdown. 57 children missed the physical presence of their friends.

DISCUSSION:

Present study results depict that majority children are affected by COVID-19 lockdown. Study results also identified some positive outcomes of the lockdown.

Similar study was carried out in the early stages of the pandemic, UNICEF joined partner agencies to survey of 1,700 children, parents, teachers and caregivers in 104 countries on how the pandemic was affecting their lives - particularly their mental health and psychosocial wellbeing. As per survey results children told that they’re worried about being isolated from family and friends and catching and even dying from the virus. Parents told that they’re confused about how to address their children’s fears, or how to explain extreme containment measures, like social distancing.

In another survey by the mental health charity Young Minds, this included 2111 participants up to age 25 years with a mental illness history in the UK. Results show that 83% said the pandemic had made their conditions worse. 26% said they were unable to access mental health support, peer support groups and face-to-face services have been cancelled, and support by phone or online can be challenging for some young people.

CONCLUSION:

As the pandemic continues, it is important to support children and adolescents facing bereavement and issues related to parental unemployment or loss of household income. There is also a need to monitor young people's mental health status over the long term, and to study how prolonged school closures, strict social distancing measures, and the pandemic itself affect the wellbeing of children and adolescents.

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Received on 27.07.2020 Modified on 17.08.2020

Int. J. Nur. Edu. and Research. 2020; 8(4):463-467.

DOI: 10.5958/2454-2660.2020.00102.7