Prophylactic Effectiveness of Hygienic Optimization of Homework Duration for Schoolchildren

Introduction: The issue of reducing the academic workload of Russian schoolchildren is particularly relevant nowadays.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a method for hygienic optimization of the duration of homework.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted over the course of two academic weeks, during which secondary school teachers calculated the hygienically optimal time for doing homework according to the proposed method. At the beginning and end of this period, 47 students in grades 5–8 were surveyed. The questions concerned their adherence to the daily routine and health complaints. The educational process did not change significantly during the study. Survey data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2016 and the results were presented as absolute values and percentages with 95 % confidence intervals. The relative risk was assessed using principles of evidence-based medicine.

Results: Applying the method of calculating the optimal time for doing homework by teachers contributed to a decrease in its duration in 26 children (55.0 %). Indicators of daily regimen adherence also improved: the number of children walking two or more hours a day rose from eight (17.0 %) to 22 (46.8 %), that of schoolchildren falling asleep before 10 p.m. almost doubled, and the number of children having health complaints somewhat decreased.

Conclusion: Our findings show the expediency of teachers using the method for optimizing students’ homework to prevent overwork and related diseases typical of school age.

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