A Descriptive Study To Assess The Knowledge And Practice Regarding Importance Of Vitamin A Prophylaxis Intake Among Mothers Of Under Five Children With A View To Develop Information Booklet In A Selected Community, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Children health includes physical, mental and social wellbeing. Parents and care givers know the importance of nutrition to child’s physical and mental development. Under five is the intense growth and development takes place in child’s life. The vaccination is also complete in this age including vitamin-A drops. During this age, children can suffer from dehydration, diarrhea, malnutrition and infectious disease. Aim: This study aims to assess the Knowledge and practice of Mothers of Under Five Children regarding Vitamin A prophylaxis

Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was done. Purposive sampling technique were used to select the 50 samples. Selected samples were from Urban area of Padarupalli, Nellore. Structured Knowledge questionnaire and Three point Rating scale were used to collect the data from samples.

Results:Out of 50 Mothers of Under Five Children majority i.e., 68 percent of mothers are having average Knowledge, where as 26 percent of them are having above Average Knowledge and 6 percent of mothers are having below average Knowledge regarding Vitamin A prophylaxis.Majority i.e., 56 percent of mothers are following moderate Practices, 38 percent of them are following poor Practice and  6 percent are following good Practice regarding  Vitamin A prophylaxisHence, there is definite need to empower the mothers to improve their ability in taking Vitamin A Prophylaxis. The linear correlation between Knowledge and Practice resulted to be positive i.e( r=0.535) were found to be positive, which was statistically significant at 0.01 level.Hence, the Hypothesis H₁was accepted indicating that there was a significant correlation between Knowledge and Practiceof Mothers of Under Five Children regarding Vitamin A Prophylaxis.

Conclusion: The study highlighted that the majority of Mothers of Under Five  Childrenthat the average Knowledge and moderate Practice regarding Vitamin A Prophylaxis. Hence, there was a definite need to provide information in order to update their knowledge and create awareness among Mothers of Under Five Children regarding Vitamin A Prophylaxis.