Repercussões do distanciamento social e adoecimento por COVID-19 na Qualidade de Vida de crianças de 7 A 9 anos

Abstract

Introduction: The pandemic of COVID-19 raised concerns about the repercussions of social withdrawal on the quality of life (QoL) of children. This is because it has changed their routines, restricted social contact, intensified the economic crisis, and changed their living conditions. Objective: This study had the general objective of knowing the QL experienced by children from 7 to 9 years old, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and of their own illness. Methodology: This is an exploratory qualitative study, which used the concept of QL, as defined by the World Health Organization. Twenty-four children diagnosed positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, and their primary caregivers participated. Data collection was performed by video call. To the primary caregivers, an instrument for sociodemographic characterization of the participants and family was applied. For the children, a semi-structured interview was used, with questions about the repercussion of the illness and social distancing, and a scale to assess the Children's Quality of Life. Qualitative data were analyzed from thematic analysis, using MAXQDA© software. Results: The results suggest that the interviewed children have information about the infection and consequences of SARS-CoV-2. The participants emphasize the negative aspects of the virus, its high transmissibility and lethality. Thirteen children presented a worsening in QL after the pandemic determined by not being able to go to squares, go for walks, go to school, play with friends, need to use preventive measures, family financial crisis, death of relatives, and increase of conflicts at home. Increased screen time, decreased opportunity to do physical activities, learning difficulties with remote teaching, and negative feelings such as anxiety, fear, and sadness during this time were mentioned. The concrete situation of getting sick subjected the children to a reality of fear of the unknown and of the consequences caused by the virus, such as a greater need for isolation, clinical manifestations of the disease, changes in routine and interruption of studies. Conclusion: We conclude that the pandemic of COVID-19 had repercussions in all categories of children's QL: social, spiritual, psychological, physical well-being and environment. Listening to the children's perceptions about their experiences allowed us to understand the meaning they give to this experience and that, sometimes, may differ from their caregivers' perceptions.