Manipal College of Nursing, Bangalore, India
Tuberculosis (TB) with high mortality has become a global health problem in spite of highly effective drugs and availability of vaccine. It is contagious and spreads through the air. If not treated, each person with active TB infects an average 10 to 15 people every year. TB affects all age groups, especially children who are very vulnerable. To cure TB, regular anti-tuberculosis therapy is very essential and they can be successfully treated under DOTS therapy (DGHS-2005). The successful treatment of children depends on the mother's role in caring at home. A study was conducted to “Evaluate the effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme among mothers of children with TB on home care management in selected DOTS centers in Bangalore city” during the year 2007. The study design was one group pre-test and post-test, quasi experimental design. Purposive sampling method was used to select 50 mothers of children with TB to collect data using Interview Schedule Method. The pre-test was followed by implementation of STP and post-test was conducted after 8 days. The overall pre-test mean knowledge was 43.5% followed by post-test of 82.5%, with mean gain of knowledge being 39.0% (t=26.61*, p <0.05). The overall pre-test mean knowledge of practice was 30.8% followed by post-test of 78.7%, with mean gain of knowledge of practice being 47.9% (t=25.03*, p<0.05). The overall finding of the study showed that the STP was significantly effective in improving the knowledge and knowledge of practice scores of mothers on home care management of children with tuberculosis. There exists an impact of variables on type of family, family history of TB and type of TB for knowledge area; family history of TB and types of TB for knowledge of practice area.
