Remote learning – the cause of an increase in health symptoms in students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction:
The multitude of changes related to remote learning during a pandemic pose a risk of increased effects on the psychophysical health of students. The main objective was to assess the increase in health symptoms in students during a pandemic and the association between the increase in these symptoms and problems with remote learning.

Material and methods:
Analyses were conducted on a sample of 340 parents (92% were mothers) of second- grade students (51% girls) attending 11 primary schools. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the risk of increased health symptoms in the context of the difficulties experienced with remote learning.

Results:
During the pandemic almost 2/3 of students had an increase in irritability (64%) and outbursts of anger (65%). In nearly half of the students (43%) their parents noticed an increase in headaches, and in every third child (38%) increased abdominal pain. Children who had difficulties with remote learning were statistically more likely to experience increased sleep problems (34.3% vs. 11.4%, p = 0.001), decreased appetite (35.5% vs. 15.2%, p = 0.001), and increased abdominal pain (47.9% vs. 32.9%, p = 0.001) as well as all analysed emotional symptoms: increased fear/anxiety (44.8% vs. 25.4%, p = 0.007), sadness/apathy (56.5% vs. 38.0%, p = 0.003), irritability (70.0% vs. 49.3%, p = 0.009), and outbursts of anger (71.0% vs. 53.2%, p = 0.008). Difficulties with remote education increased the risk of sleeping problems [OR = 4.54; CI (OR): 2.05-10.04; p < 0.001], the risk of abdominal pain [OR = 3.45; CI (OR): 1.81-6.60; p < 0.001], and risk of the decreased appetite [OR = 3.039; CI (OR): 1.49-6.19; p = 0.002]. For increased symptoms of headache, fear/anxiety, sadness/apathy, irritability, and outbursts of anger, the risk was 2-fold greater, and nearly double while students had remote learning problems.

Conclusions:
Problems with remote learning increased in children, primarily risk of physical health problems such as sleep problems, increased abdominal pain, and decreased appetite. Students experiencing distance learning difficulties and their parents are important beneficiaries of prevention and intervention programs.