A Comparative Study to Assess the Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Intra Uterine Growth Retardation and its Prevention Among Antenatal Mothers in Rural and Urban Areas

Abstract

Intra Uterine Growth Retardation is an important cause of fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. The present study was undertaken to compare the knowledge and attitude regarding intra uterine growth retardation and its prevention among antenatal mothers in rural and urban areas Khammam, Telangana. The objectives of the study were to describe the levels of knowledge and attitude, to compare the levels of Knowledge and attitude in rural and urban areas, to find out the association between knowledge and attitude scores with their selected socio-demographic variables. A quantitative survey approach and comparative descriptive design was used for this study. The sample for current study is antenatal mothers who were residing at Raghunadhapalem rural area and Ballepalli urban area, Khammam. The sample size was 100((50 rural+50 urban) and the sample was selected by non-probability convenience sampling technique. Data was collected by using structure interview schedule. The Findings revealed that the knowledge means of antenatal mothers in rural and urban areas were 14.10 and 16.68 respectively. Standard deviations were 3.29 and 3.3 respectively. The ‘t’ calculated value was 3.89 which is significant at 0.05. The attitude means of antenatal mothers in rural and urban areas were 36.08 and 36.02 respectively. Standard deviations were 2.15 and 2.48 respectively. The ‘t’ calculated value was 0.12 which is significant at 0.05. The study concluded that the level of knowledge is low in rural area by comparing with urban area. There is an increased need for awareness program regarding intra uterine growth retardation and its prevention in selected setting in order to promote the health of the fetus and the mother.