Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme (STP) on Knowledge Regarding Care of Mentally Retarded Children among the Caregivers in a Selected Special Institution, at Chetana, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Mental retardation is a challenge not only to any nation but also to the entire human race. A MR Child is a source of greater effort that demands extra attention and nurturing. Parents in home and caretakers in specialized institutions are commonly involved in caring a MR Child. Caregivers knowledge & behavior directly and indirectly linked for the nurturing of MR children. Lack of knowledge relating to various aspects of care leads to negligent and stressful life. The most important role of psychiatric nurse is to identify and deliver knowledge among the caregivers regarding caring and rearing of MR Child. Hence, the investigator had undertaken this study “A study to assess the Effectiveness of structured teaching programme (STP) on knowledge regarding care of mentally retarded children among the caregivers in a selected special institution, at Chetana, in BBSR, Odisha”.

Evaluative research approach and Pre experimental design, pre and post test without control group was adopted in this study. The study was undertaken on 34 parents and 16 caregivers of Jewels international Chetana institute for mentally handicapped, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, by convenience sampling technique. Data was collected by using structured interview schedule

Findings revealed that the Majority 34(68%) of the caregivers were either of the parents. Most 27(54%) of the caregivers were found in the age group 41–50 years. All most all 50 (100%) of the caregivers were Hindu. Most 20(40%) of them had education up to higher secondary. As per the experience 27 (54%) had more than 6 years of experience in caring MR child. All most all 50 (100%) of the respondents were married. Most 46(92%) of the care givers were without family history of MR. Majority 17(34%) of them were Govt. employee. As per their domicile majority 24(48%) of the care givers were from urban areas. It was also found that the Highest percentage 58%(26) of the caregivers were not previously exposed to any educational programme regarding care of mentally retarded children. The overall mean score in the pretest was (11.38±2.64) which is 37.93% of the total score revealing that the caregivers had poor knowledge regarding care of MR children. The level of knowledge of the caregivers reveals that in pre test, 2% of the caregivers had very poor knowledge and 64% of them had poor knowledge whereas only 34% had average knowledge. But in post test majority 52% of the care givers have excellent knowledge and 44% had good knowledge & only 4% had average knowledge. Highly significant difference was found between pre and post test knowledge scores. No Significant association was found between post test knowledge and demographic variables relationship with the MR child, Experience, family history of mentally retarded, occupation and domicile But there was an association between post test knowledge and education, age, sex and prior exposure to educational programme.

Statistical analysis of data revealed that STP was effective in improving knowledge regarding care of MR children among the care givers.