The Impact of Living Conditions on the Health of Primary School Children in the Zone of Military Conflict

Abstract

Introduction. Preserving and restoring the health of children in difficult situations is one of the priority tasks of modern Pediatrics. Therefore, taking into account the characteristics of the health status of children in a prolonged stressful situation associated with a military conflict is extremely important for the full and timely assistance to this contingent. Purpose of the study To conduct a comprehensive assessment of the health status of 7-9 years old children living in the military conflict zone in the Donbas region. Materials and methods. We examined 234 children (of 7-9 years), of which 123 people living in the war zone in the Donbas region. A year after the outbreak of military conflict there was carried out an assessment of the health status of children, including an assessment of psycho-emotional status (methods adapted to primary school age), an analysis of medical documentation (forms 025/U-04 and No. 112/U) with an assessment of the incidence rate, physical development, as well as the study of the autonomic nervous system (methods A.M. Wayne, cardiointervalography). Results All children in the territory of the military conflict were established to have violations of the psycho-emotional and cognitive spheres, expressed in signs of post-stress disorder and maladaptation. There were revealed alterations in the vegetative status, an increase in the frequency of registration of somatic pathology, as well as a change in anthropometric and physiometric indices of physical development were revealed. Conclusion Identified violations in the state of health of children living in the zone of military conflict dictate the need for dynamic monitoring and rehabilitation measures with the integrated participation of medical, psychological, pedagogical and social specialists