Screen time and associated factors among preschoolers in Wuxi during COVID - 19 outbreak

Abstract

Objective To investigate the current status of screen time in preschoolers during the outbreak of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and the influences of parent-child active play and school online education on screen time.

Methods A total of 2 370 preschoolers were chosen through clustering sampling from 7 kindergartens in Wuxi urban areas. Questionnaire survey was administered to parents for child screen time, active play, online education as well as characteristics information.

Results A total of 1 428 (60.3%) preschoolers reported more than 1 hour screen time a day, and 1 915 (80.8%) preschoolers reported more than 20 minutes consecutive screen time. Compared with the weekend before the COVID-19 outbreak, 1 551 (65.4%) preschoolers reported an increase of 10 minutes in screen time perday, and 1 444 (60.9%) reported an increase of 5 minutes for one sersion. Logistic regression analysis showed that after controlling for confounding factors, high frequency of parent-child active play, parents’ exercise habits, online education from kindergartens and children’ s active participation in the online education were negatively associated with preschoolers’ excessive and increased screen time during this period ( OR = 0.39-0.79, P<0.05).

Conclusion During the COVID-19 outbreak, preschoolers’ media use in Wuxi city is worrisome. Parent-child active play, parents’ exercise and online education from kindergartens may play a positive role in reducing preschoolers’ media use.

Abstract

【摘要】 目的 探讨新型冠状病毒肺炎 (COVID-19) 疫情控制期学龄前儿童视屏行为及亲子运动和幼儿园线上教育 对儿童视屏行为的改善作用, 为有效控制学龄前儿童视屏行为提供依据。 方法 采用分层整群抽样的方法, 抽取无锡市7 所幼儿园 2 370 名在园儿童的家长进行网络问卷调查, 分析疫情控制期学龄前儿童视屏现状及其影响因素。 结果 1 428 名 (60.3%) 儿童每日累计视屏时长超过 1 h, 1 915 名 (80.8%) —次连续视屏时长超过 20 min; 与疫情前的周末相比, 1 551 名 (65.4%) 儿童每日累计视屏时长增加了 10 min, 1 444 名 (60.9%) 儿童一次连续视屏时长增加了 5 min。多因素Logistic 回归分析显示, 亲子游戏频率高、父母有锻炼习惯、幼儿园开展线上教育及儿童积极参与线上教育与疫情控制期学龄前儿 童视屏行为超标和增加呈负相关 ( OR = 0.39~0.79, P 值均<0.05)。 结论 疫情控制期无锡市学龄前儿童视屏行为严峻, 亲 子运动和幼儿园线上教育可对减少儿童视屏行为产生积极作用。