An Evaluation on the Consequences of the Introduction of Online Classes Amidst the Lockdown on School Students

Background: Although there are studies and data indicating the effects of increased usage of devices amongst children but no such data as to quantify how many folds these effects increased when ofine classes were completely replaced by online classes which required using devices during majority of the day. Objective: This study aims to analyze the effects of online classes started during lockdown on the health of school students. Methodology: The study was a prospective and cross-sectional study and was conducted in two schools of district Kangra, Himachal Pradesh - Aadhunik Public School Dharamshala and Achiever's hub public school Dharamshala. These two schools had a student capacity of 1200+ each. A questionnaire was created on a virtual platform i.e., Google Forms. The questionnaire consisted of 3 parts- consent, prole of students and Health problems faced by the students. The school administration of both the schools were approached and were explained about the study. They gave their approval and helped circulate the questionnaire amongst their students via a digital messaging platform. The only prerequisite to ll the form was to have a Gmail id which was available for all the students as the schools which were selected for study had conducted online classes through google meet and that also required Gmail id. The link so shared could be opened on a handheld device and didn't require any app. Conclusion: Out of 159 participants 22.64% participants wore spectacles and 89.94% participants had no medical complaints prior to the start of online classes. 62.89% starting facing issues concentrating ,43.40% students complained of frequent headache and 55.35% students complained of increase in irritability in their behavior as the classes progressed. 41.51% students reported weight gain, 61.01% reported decreased interest in studies and 54.72% students complained about being more tired from online classes compared to the same duration ofine classes. 43.40% experienced episodes of disturbed sleep,11.95% were prescribed spectacles and 64.78% complained about experiencing neck pain after the commencement of online classes.