Myopia: Its Status and Environmental Correlations Among School Students in Fushun, China

Our objective was to investigate the status and influence of myopia among primary school students in Fushun, Liaoning Province, China. We aimed to provide a theoretical and epistemological basis for implementing myopia prevention initiatives. We employed cluster sampling and surveyed 5216 primary school students from grades 1-6 across eight primary schools in Fushun City. Our participants included 2606 males and 2610 females whose average age was 9.25 (SD = 1.76) years. The rate of myopia among these primary school students was 29.54%, with statistically significant differences among students of different genders and grades. Logistic regression analysis further identified several possible protective factors, including appropriate reading distance, adequate home lighting, regular breaks between classes, conscientious eye exercises, and daily outdoor physical activity. Conversely, the associated risk factors were being female, being in a higher grade level, spending more than 4 hours on homework, occasionally reading while lying down, and having one or both parents with myopia. Overall, our results indicated a high incidence of myopia, highlighting the need for scientifically controlled interventions to manage and mitigate the occurrence and progression of myopia in this population.

Effect of Reverse Engineering Pedagogy on Primary School Students' Computational Thinking Skills in STEM Learning Activities

Computational thinking (CT) is important for students because it is one of the 21st century's skills. Reverse engineering pedagogy (REP) can improve students' CT due to its ability to develop students' cooperativity, algorithmic thinking, creativity, and problem-solving in discipline education. Thus, this study aimed to explore the effect of REP on primary school students' CT skills in STEM learning activities. A total of 101 fifth graders in a primary school participated in the study for one semester (16 weeks), including 51 students in the experimental group (EG) with REP, and 50 students in the control group (CG) with the demonstration method (DM). The computational thinking scale (CTS) was used to measure the CT skills of students in the pretest and posttest. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the data. The results verified that REP had a fine effect on the improvement of students' CT skills compared to the DM. The findings can provide some ideas for researchers to develop students' CT skills in STEM learning activities. Teachers can use different teaching methods to reasonably arrange teaching activities to develop primary school students' CT skills.

Compression-Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillator Course for Primary School Students: A Malaysian Pilot Study

The Malaysian national school curriculum currently lacks resources and tools to enforce CPR education. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator course among primary school students to increase their knowledge and technical skills and improve their attitudes. A quasi-experimental study was conducted using a pre−post non-equivalent design involving 38 students aged 10−12. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) knowledge, technical skills, and attitude towards CPR were assessed in a post test with three-month follow-up. Results of the MANOVA analysis showed significant differences in the level of knowledge (F = 10.29, p < 0.001) and attitude (F = 13.87, p < 0.001) based on the students’ age group at the time of the post test. The proportion of students who passed the technical skills component differed significantly by age (χ2 = 12.12; p = 0.002) and BMI (χ2 = 6.34; p = 0.041). No significant decay was reported in the total mean scores for knowledge, technical skills, and attitude (F = 0.727, p = 0.54) at 3-month follow-up. The course helped students perform CPR and utilize AED effectively while promoting a positive attitude with up to 3 months of retention, demonstrating the feasibility of extending the course within the Malaysian primary school curriculum.

Predictors of Musculoskeletal Pain among Primary School Students Using Smartphones in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand

School-age children increasingly use smartphones to conduct their learning activities; increasing reports of disorders related to smartphone use exist, including visual-related symptoms, stress, and musculoskeletal pain. This study aimed to examine risk factors for musculoskeletal pain among primary school students using smartphones. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 233 school-aged children in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand. Data collection used a questionnaire for musculoskeletal symptoms using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire with ISO 11,226:2000. Through Chi-square, t-test, and logistic regression analysis, factors independently associated with musculoskeletal pain were determined. An important factor in the development of musculoskeletal pain was the prolonged use of smartphones for longer than 60 min, particularly among children aged 6-9 years old. In regards to musculoskeletal pain, almost 53% of the students used their smartphones while lying down. Posing in a prone position while using a smartphone was 7.37 times more dangerous than sitting. The laying position tilts numerous organs at varying angles, especially the upper arm. The risk of musculoskeletal complaints must be reduced by educating parents, children, and the relevant government organizations about safe smartphone usage. The mentioned factors may be used to anticipate the onset of musculoskeletal pain caused by smartphone use in young children.

Effectiveness Evaluation of a Primary School-Based Intervention against Heatwaves in China

Background: Evidence of the effectiveness of intervention against extreme heat remains unclear, especially among children, one of the vulnerable populations. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a primary school-based intervention program against heatwave and climate change in China to provide evidence for development of policies for adaptation to climate change. Methods: Two primary schools in Dongtai City, Jiangsu Province, China, were randomly selected as intervention and control schools (CTR registration number: ChiCTR2200056005). Health education was conducted at the intervention school to raise students’ awareness and capability to respond to extreme heat during May to September in 2017. Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of students and their parents at both schools were investigated by questionnaire surveys before and after intervention. The changes in KAP scores after intervention were evaluated using multivariable difference-in-difference (DID) analysis, controlling for age, sex, etc. Results: The scores of knowledge, attitude, and practice of students and their parents increased by 19.9% (95%CI: 16.3%, 23.6%) and 22.5% (95%CI: 17.8%, 27.1%); 9.60% (95%CI: 5.35%, 13.9%) and 7.22% (95%CI: 0.96%, 13.5%); and 9.94% (95%CI: 8.26%, 18.3%) and 5.22% (95%CI: 0.73%, 9.71%), respectively, after intervention. The KAP score changes of boys were slightly higher than those of girls. Older students had higher score changes than younger students. For parents, the higher the education level, the greater the score change, and change in scores was greater in females than in males. All the health education activities in the program were significantly correlated with the changes in KAP scores of primary school students after intervention, especially those curricula with interesting activities and experiential learning approaches. Conclusions: Heat and health education program in primary school was an effective approach to improve cognition and behavior for both students and their parents to better adapt to heatwaves and climate change. The successful experience can be generalized to respond to the increasing extreme weather/climate events in the context of climate change, such as heatwaves, and other emergent occasions or public health education, such as the control and prevention of COVID-19.

[Mental health status of primary school students during the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic and its influencing factors]

OBJECTIVE

To study the mental health status of primary school students and the factors influencing the mental health status during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic.

METHODS

Online questionnaire surveys were conducted among 3 600 primary school students aged 6-12 years in Jilin Province, China in April, 2020 (during the epidemic) and 3 089 primary school students in September, 2020 (during the regular epidemic prevention and control). The general information and the data related to the Mental Health Scale for Child and Adolescent were collected by the questionnaire surveys. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the factors influencing the mental health status of the students during the epidemic.

RESULTS

The students during the epidemic had a significantly poorer mental health status in the emotional experience and volitional behavior than those during the regular epidemic prevention and control (P < 0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the risk of psychological problems of the students decreased with age (OR=0.895). The girls were at a higher risk of psychological problems than boys (OR=1.453). The students with father's and mother's charater between irritability and gentle were at a lower risk of psychological problems (OR=0.496 and 0.470 respectively). The students from a family with a parental education style of a combination of encouraging and scolding were at a lower risk of psychological problems (OR=0.263). The students from a single-parent family or an extended family were at a higher risk of psychological problems (OR=2.995 and 3.446 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The COVID-19 epidemic has a certain impact on emotional experience and volitional behavior of primary school students. During the epidemic, particular attention should be paid to the mental health of primary school students, especially girls, younger students, and students from single-parent families, extended families or families with impatient parents and improper parental education.

[Mental health status of primary school students during the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic and its influencing factors]

OBJECTIVE

To study the mental health status of primary school students and the factors influencing the mental health status during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic.

METHODS

Online questionnaire surveys were conducted among 3 600 primary school students aged 6-12 years in Jilin Province, China in April, 2020 (during the epidemic) and 3 089 primary school students in September, 2020 (during the regular epidemic prevention and control). The general information and the data related to the Mental Health Scale for Child and Adolescent were collected by the questionnaire surveys. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the factors influencing the mental health status of the students during the epidemic.

RESULTS

The students during the epidemic had a significantly poorer mental health status in the emotional experience and volitional behavior than those during the regular epidemic prevention and control (P < 0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the risk of psychological problems of the students decreased with age (OR=0.895). The girls were at a higher risk of psychological problems than boys (OR=1.453). The students with father's and mother's charater between irritability and gentle were at a lower risk of psychological problems (OR=0.496 and 0.470 respectively). The students from a family with a parental education style of a combination of encouraging and scolding were at a lower risk of psychological problems (OR=0.263). The students from a single-parent family or an extended family were at a higher risk of psychological problems (OR=2.995 and 3.446 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The COVID-19 epidemic has a certain impact on emotional experience and volitional behavior of primary school students. During the epidemic, particular attention should be paid to the mental health of primary school students, especially girls, younger students, and students from single-parent families, extended families or families with impatient parents and improper parental education.

Hand Hygiene, Mask-Wearing Behaviors and Its Associated Factors during the COVID-19 Epidemic: A Cross-Sectional Study among Primary School Students in Wuhan, China

Although the emphasis on behaviors of hand-washing and mask-wearing was repeated during the pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), not everyone paid enough attention to this. A descriptive statistic was used to make sense of the status of hand hygiene and mask-wearing among primary school students in Wuhan, China. A binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the risk factors affecting the behaviors of hand-washing and mask-wearing. p < 0.05 (two-sides) was considered as significant at statistics. 42.05% of the primary school students showed a good behavior of hand-washing, while 51.60% had a good behavior of mask-wearing. Gender, grade, out-going history, father’s occupation, mother’s educational background, and the time filling out the survey were significantly associated with hand hygiene, whereas grade, mother’s educational background, and residence were associated with mask-wearing. The behaviors of hand-washing and mask-wearing among primary school students were influenced by gender, grade, and other factors, therefore, parents should make efforts of behavior guidance whereas governments should enlarge medium publicity.

[Current status of social anxiety among primary school students with myopia in Urumqi, China and risk factors for myopia]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of social anxiety among the fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade primary school students with myopia in Urumqi, China and the risk factors for social anxiety.

METHODS

Stratified cluster random sampling was used to select 552 fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade primary school students with myopia from four primary schools in Urumqi. A self-designed questionnaire, a social anxiety scale for children and a self-esteem scale were used to investigate the general demographic data and the current status of social anxiety and self-esteem. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors for social anxiety in primary school students with myopia.

RESULTS

Of the 552 children, 173 (31.3%) were found to have social anxiety. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a higher grade, female sex, autocratic family, high myopia, low self-esteem and wearing glasses for more than 2 years were risk factors for social anxiety (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a serious problem of social anxiety among the fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade primary school students with myopia in Urumqi. The development of social anxiety is associated with age, sex, degree of myopia, time of wearing glasses, parental education style and self-esteem level.

[Current status of social anxiety among primary school students with myopia in Urumqi, China and risk factors for myopia]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of social anxiety among the fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade primary school students with myopia in Urumqi, China and the risk factors for social anxiety.

METHODS

Stratified cluster random sampling was used to select 552 fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade primary school students with myopia from four primary schools in Urumqi. A self-designed questionnaire, a social anxiety scale for children and a self-esteem scale were used to investigate the general demographic data and the current status of social anxiety and self-esteem. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors for social anxiety in primary school students with myopia.

RESULTS

Of the 552 children, 173 (31.3%) were found to have social anxiety. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a higher grade, female sex, autocratic family, high myopia, low self-esteem and wearing glasses for more than 2 years were risk factors for social anxiety (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

There is a serious problem of social anxiety among the fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade primary school students with myopia in Urumqi. The development of social anxiety is associated with age, sex, degree of myopia, time of wearing glasses, parental education style and self-esteem level.

[Current status of social anxiety and depression among primary school students in Urumqi, China]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the current status of social anxiety and depression among the fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students in Urumqi, China, and to provide data support for mental health education for primary school students in the future.

METHODS

Stratified cluster random sampling was performed to select 919 fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students from four primary schools for the Han and minority ethnic groups in Urumqi as research subjects. Social Anxiety Scale for Children and Children's Depression Inventory were used to evaluate the current status of social anxiety and depression.

RESULTS

Among the 919 fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students, the detection rate of social anxiety was 28.5% (262 students). The fourth-grade students had significantly lower scores on each subscale of social anxiety and total score of social anxiety than the fifth- and sixth-grade students (P<0.05). Girls had significantly higher score on the subscale of fear of negative evaluation and total score of social anxiety than boys (P<0.05). The Uyghur students had significantly higher scores on each subscale of social anxiety and total score of social anxiety than the Han students and the students of other minority ethnic groups (P<0.05). Among these fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade students, the detection rate of depression was 11.2% (103 students). The fourth-grade students had significantly lower scores on the subscales of negative self-esteem, ineffectiveness, and interpersonal problems and total score of depression than the fifth- and sixth-grade students (P<0.05). The Uyghur students had significantly higher scores on the subscales of anhedonia and negative mood and total score of depression than the Han students and the students of other minority ethnic groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

There are significant differences in the status of social anxiety and depression among the primary school students with different grades, sexes or ethnic groups in Urumqi. The fifth- and sixth-grade students, girls, and Uyghur students tend to have more serious psychological problems, which should be taken seriously by parents, schools, and the society.