Effectiveness of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Programme on Maternal Role Adaptation during Postpartum Period in a Selected Hospital, Mangalore

The post partum period is the interval between the birth of the newborn and the return of the reproductive organs to their non pregnant state. During this period mother has to adapt to various physiological, psychological, social, emotional wellbeing. It is noted that a women's perception for the motherhood role influences postpartum adaptation and satisfaction with motherhood roles. Studies on the impact of education on childbirth have revealed that women were able to increase their knowledge about childbirth experience. The health education helps in adapting well during the postnatal period.1

An evaluatory approach quasi experimental design was adopted for this study.100 postnatal mothers who met the inclusion criteria were selected through Non-probability Purposive sampling technique for the study. The conceptual framework for the study was based on Adaptation Model developed from the Roy's adaptation Theory. On the first day a structured rating scale was administered to the women to find out the pre-test maternal role adaptation level during postpartum period. The Information education communication programme was given on the same day for a period of one hour after pre-test. The post test was conducted on the fifth day of teaching programme by administering the same rating scale.

Data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that majority of women 37%were within 23-27yrs, 28%had Puc level Education, 62% were Hindus, 53% had the family income of RS-5000-10000/month,58% were Home makers,45% had Nuclear family,53% had Married life between 1–3 years,51% were Primi paras,63% had undergone Normal vaginal delivery,43% were in the Gestational age of 37–38 weeks,57% newborn babies weighed between 2.53 kg.

The study findings revealed that before the administration of Information education communication programme most of the women, 95% had moderate adaptation, 4% had poor adaptation, 1% of the women had good level of adaptation. The Information education communication programme facilitated the women to improve their maternal role adaptation. Among the women the post-test knowledge score was 100% good level of maternal role adaptation. The data showed that the mean post - test knowledge scores of women were significantly higher than their mean pre- test knowledge scores after the administration of Information education communication programme

The ‘t’ value showed that there was significant gain in maternal role adaptation among the women through the structured teaching programme. The mean post-test adaptation scores of subjects were significantly higher than their mean pre-test adaptation scores. ‘t’ calculated value =38.113 is greater than the ‘t’ table value (100) =2, p<0.05. In the present study association was computed by using Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. There was no significant association between maternal role adaptation during postnatal period with selected demographic variables.

Findings of the study revealed that majority of the women had good level of adaptation. The Information education communication programme helped them to improve maternal role adaptation. Hence Information education communication programme is very essential and beneficial to educate the postnatal mothers.