In modern social economic and ecologo-hygienic conditions of big cities all age groups of children and adolescents aged 8–15 years present a significant decrease of functional indicators (muscle force of the right hand) in comparison with their peers of 60s and 80s of the XX century. The similar findings occur in other regions and age groups. The analysis of the reasons of this phenomenon is one of key problems for researches.

Background: School healthcare service standards and quality are the crucial factors for a development of a healthy lifestyle health of younger generation of the country. The goal of the study is an evaluation of the health care quality in schools.Methods: The paper discusses the evaluation of the quality of health care which is provided for school children in different parts of Russia. Assessment of the school health services is performed using the unified WHO recommendations in 21 schools.Results: The study revealed the similar pattern of problems concerning health services in schools located in different regions of the country, specifically: the absence of modern federal rules; shortage of medical professionals and their low sallary; insufficient medical equipment; inadequate list of medical services.Conclusions: This study gives the evidence for the necessity to develop a general strategy of measures to be implemented to solve the problems. The measures should include the regular trainings of medical professionals, determination of the list of basic services to be provided in schools, improvement of the medical equipment.

The aim of this study was to find peculiarities in processes of growth and development of the child and adolescent in different megalopolises, Moscow and Kiev, on the background of various social and economic changes in society and standards of living of the child population. Comparison analysis of physical development of Moscow and Kiev children did not show statistically significant differences in body length except in boys aged between 10 and 16 years and in girls aged between 12 and 17 years. The changes in physical development of Kiev children demonstrate a domination of gracilization, accompanied by significant low values of body mass with high values of body length, especially in girls. The study showed that modern adolescents of both cities exceed their peers from previous generation in body length. Chest circumference in all ages of both sexes and body mass starting from 10 years of age were higher in adolescents from Moscow. We found a negative trend to the increase in the number of overweight Moscow children in the studied dynamics. (Int J Biomed. 2016; 6(4):279-282.)

Background: Studying anxiety, stress, and coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial to mitigate the negative effects associated with infection risk and disease consequences. Objective: This study aimed to investigate anxiety levels, stress perception, and coping strategies in relation to the presence of illness. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted anonymously among 3950 university students from Poland (1822), Lithuania (232), and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad (1896). Due to the nearly identical application of anti-epidemic measures, the respondents were treated as a unified group. The State-trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Perceived Stress Scale 10 (PSS-10), and mini-COPE scale questionnaires were used. Statistical analysis included the Shapiro–Wilk test to check normality, the Mann–Whitney U test for comparative analysis between groups, the Pearson χ2 test for categorical data, and Spearman coefficients for correlations between variables. Results: A significant proportion of young adults in the community exhibited symptoms of anxiety and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the 1212 men and 2738 women surveyed, 348 (28.7%) and 1020 (37.3%) individuals, respectively, were diagnosed with COVID-19 according to clinical protocols. Prolonged disease duration and more severe residual symptoms correlated with higher self-reported anxiety levels. Conclusions: The level of anxiety and stress varied depending on the duration of the disease, significantly impacting the choice of coping strategies. Overall, students displayed a proactive approach to coping activities but tended to postpone important decisions. Seeking social support was a prevalent coping mechanism, although respondents who had COVID-19 showed higher levels of concern for their own emotions, a tendency to discharge emotions through alcohol or other substances (male), and a greater reliance on religion (female). The study provides data that may be useful in developing educational and health policies focused on the mental well-being of university students and potentially other social groups.

Background. the problem of the ageing population has resulted in attitudes towards aging in different age groups becoming a subject of increased academic interest. Objectives. to provide comparative characteristics of the prevalence of manifestations of gerontological ageism among university students in five european countries. Material and methods. the sample consisted of university students (n = 2493) aged 18-25 from Belarus (n = 827), Russia (n = 528), poland (n = 798), lithuania (n = 223) and Ukraine (n = 117). the prevalence of gerontological ageism among respondents was evaluated according to the Fraboni ageism Scale. Results. the prevalence and manifestations of gerontological ageism vary depending on the country. the maximum total indicator, displaying the highest overall level of ageism, was noted among Belarusian students, the minimum -in lithuania (p < 0.05). the final indicators of gerontological ageism were found to be the following: the level of age discrimination and negative emotional attitude towards the elderly was increased in one fifth of the respondents in all five groups. the observation found the level of ageism averaging at 60%, evenly distributed in all groups. the predominant attitudes towards older people were found to be neutral or positive (84.6%). Conclusions. the manifestations of ageism are international in nature and can explain 20% of the total variety of answers characterising the differences in ranked attributes and degree of ageism. the total indicator showed the highest degree of gerontological ageism among students in Belarus, the lowest -among those in lithuania, with levels of gerontological ageism among students in Russia, poland and Ukraine distributed in between.