Children's population of a front-line city: new challenges

Abstract

The war in Ukraine led to an unprecedented process of migration and changes in the living conditions of millions of residents, including children. Today, there is no clear understanding of how the physical and mental state of the child population will change in response to modern war conditions, changes in living and learning conditions, migration, and deterioration of family health.

Aim - to assess the frequency of signs of risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among practically healthy children in the city of Kharkiv.

Materials and methods. The results of a survey of 814 children, residents of the city of Kharkiv until February 24, 2022), who were in Kharkiv, other regions of Ukraine and abroad at the time of the survey were analysed. The CATS 2 questionnaire (Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen, version 2) was used. An analysis of the frequency of symptoms and an estimate of the odds ratio (OR) was performed.

Results. PTSD symptoms occurred in 22.9% of children, without differences depending on gender, place of residence and were considered as moderate reaction (34.5%), increased distress (25.1%) and severe distress (40.5%). The frequency of severe reaction was significantly higher in children who had gone abroad and migrated to other regions of Ukraine compared to children in Kharkiv (p<0.05). The chances of developing PTSD were 4 times higher in those who experienced food or water shortages than in those who were separated from their and 3 times higher than in children who are/were witnesses of hostilities 40/71. When comparing the results over time since the beginning of the war, a negative dynamic of indicators was established in children living in Kharkiv, in contrast to children who migrated.

Conclusion. A high risk of developing mental disorders was established in children - pre-war residents of Kharkiv, regardless of their place of residence within 2-3 years from the beginning of the war.