1Manipal College of Nursing, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
2Department of Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
Healthy and sturdy babies are likely to evolve as physically and mentally strong adults. Education of general public is an integral part of prevention-oriented approach to health and disease problem. Education can help to improve knowledge, attitude and practice. Most of world's major health problems are preventable through changes in human behavior at low cost. Helminthic infestations contribute significantly to global burden of diseases in children. Health education remains the most affordable and effective strategy for controlling helminthic infestation. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which an education programme was effective in improving mothers’ knowledge on prevention of helminthic infestations in their children.
An evaluative study using a pre-experimental one group pretest-posttest design was conducted among 60 mothers of underfive children in rural areas of Udupi district, Karnataka. Data was collected by self reported valid, pre-tested and reliable structured knowledge questionnaire using purposive sampling. Following baseline assessment, an educational programme on prevention of helminthic infestations was administered to the mothers of underfive children. One week following the programme the mothers were reassessed. Significant improvement in the knowledge was found (t = 20.35, p< 0.05). The programme was an effective learning strategy as opined by the mothers 60(100%).
Empowering, Educational Programme, Knowledge, Helminthic infestations, Mothers of Under-five children
