A study to assess the effectiveness of planned health teaching programme on knowledge regarding protein-energy malnutrition among mothers of under five children in selected area of Sangliwadi

Abstract

The World Bank estimates that India is ranked 2nd after Bangladesh, in the number of children suffering from malnutrition in the world. The prevalence of underweight children in India is among the highest in the world. The objectives of the study were 1) to assess the existing knowledge of mothers of under five children on Proteinenergy malnutrition and 2) to evaluate effectiveness of planned health teaching programme about Protein-energy malnutrition. Quasi experimental one group pre-test and post-test design was used. Sixty mothers of under five children included using simple random sampling method from Sangliwadi area. The subjects' pre-existing knowledge was recorded through a structured questionnaire. The subjects were provided a planned teaching programme and the knowledge was re-assessed after 8 days. Data were expressed as mean ±SD and paired t-test was used to analyze the normative data. Planned teaching programme significantly increased the mothers' knowledge as compared before the teaching programme (p<0.05). The study concluded that planned teaching was effective in increasing the mothers' knowledge related to protein-energy malnutrition.