Assessing the Mental Health of School Children in the Pre-COVID-19 and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown Era: A Comparative Analysis Ogbonna et al: Assessing the Mental Health of School Children

Abstract

Background: The effects of COVID-19 on children’s mental health are well-documented and were compounded by the lockdown measures. Studies showed worsening post-COVID-19 mental health, but, whether these are at variance with those of the pre-COVID-19 era is controversial. Objectives: To compare children’s mental health during the pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 lockdown eras. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional and comparative study involving 484 school children categorized into two equal groups according to their enrolment periods. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was employed to assess Mental Health Abnormalities (MHA) in them. Ethical approval and consent were obtained before commencing the study. Results: Children from the post-COVID-19 lockdown era had a significantly higher MHA prevalence and were four times more likely to have MHA than those from the pre-COVID-19 era (p = 0.025; adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 3.89, 95% CI = 2.43 – 24.26). Except for hyperactivity/inattention, MHA types in the children showed a significantly higher prevalence of emotional, conduct and peer-relationship disorders (p<0.05). However, a multivariate analysis showed that only emotional disorders (p = 0.037) were significant. The children from the post-COVID-19 lockdown era were three times more likely to have emotional disorders than those from the pre-COVID-19 (aOR = 2.68; 95% CI = 1.06 – 6.74). Conclusions: We noted a higher MHA burden among children from the post-COVID-19 lockdown era and emotional disorders were the most common.