Abstract:

Research problem. The issue of maintaining the health of teachers of educational institutions has become the most relevant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The transition to distance learning due to the unfavorable epidemiological situation regarding the spread of coronavirus infection contributed to introducing digital technologies in the educational process; it had a certain impact on the health of teachers who work in secondary schools. Requirements for development of new technologies for distance learning, behavior and personality of the teacher when working online, an increase in the load on the visual analyzer, speech, musculoskeletal system, insufficient motor activity and forced isolation negatively affected the emotional state and physical health of the pedagogical community. The problem of maintaining health and timely prevention of occupational risk factors among teachers is of particular importance in the context of the continued risk of the spread of COVID-19. Thus, the purpose of the study is: to analyze the causes of teachers' health disorders; assess the impact of risk factors on teachers' health in the city of Kirov and the Kirov region during the pandemic; determine recommendations for preventing the impact of adverse factors in the educational environment. Research methods: theoretical methods, such as the analysis of legal documentation, scientific and scientific-methodical literature, were used. The survey in the Google Form application, questionnaires, and comparisons were used as empirical ones. The study involved teachers of secondary schools of Kirov. Conclusions and recommendations. The study allows to conclude that the introduction of distance learning into the general education system and the observance of the self-isolation regime during the pandemic generally contributed to an increase in the influence of risk factors and deterioration of the physical and mental health of teachers. The analysis of the causes that have an adverse effect on the health of school teachers was carried out. The current epidemiological situation contributed to a change in lifestyle, in particular, a decrease in motor activity, psycho-emotional stress, sleep disturbance, lack of direct communication with colleagues and students, an increase in the study load, and, as a result, deterioration in well-being. The results of assessing the impact of risk factors on the health of teachers during the pandemic are presented. Their negative impact on the main functional systems of the body was revealed: nervous, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, such as increased anxiety, irritability, depression, lack of positive emotions, problems with the musculoskeletal system, high blood pressure, heart pain, shortness of breath, headache . It is shown that the lifestyle during the pandemic contributes to a decrease in stress resistance, the depletion of the teacher's personal resources, and an increase in the influence of risk factors on physical and mental health. Based on the results of the study, recommendations were developed to reduce the negative impact of risk factors on the health of teachers. Taking the consequences of COVID-19 and the continued risk of the spread of the pandemic into account, it becomes necessary to organize preventive measures by educational institutions and monitoring the health of teachers.

Keywords:

Health, risk factors, teachers, pandemic, COVID-19, prevention.