A Descriptive Study to Assess Child Nutrition and Health Information Related Knowledge among Mothers of Under Six Years Children in Selected Areas of Dadra & Nagar Haveli

Abstract

Background: The Health of a country depends on healthy citizens. Healthy children grow up to be healthy adults. Young children, especially those under the age of six are in a vulnerable stage of physical development. Malnutrition during this time can have long-term and irreversible consequences. Mothers have to be made more aware about feeding practices and health-care practices only then it can go a long away in reducing the severity of malnutrition. As per ICDS guidelines on convergence initiatives for improved nutrition, Knowledge of mothers regarding child Nutrition and Health information can be assessed based on five key Nutrition and Health information as follows: (i) importance of colostrum; (ii) continued breastfeeding; (iii) diarrhea prevention and treatment using oral rehydration solution (ORS); (iv) child immunization and (v) family planning. Aim: To assess knowledge regarding child nutrition and health information among mothers of under six year children in selected areas of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Methodology: A descriptive survey design was used to collect data with structured interview method from 200 mothers which were selected from non-probability convenient sampling technique. Result: Out of 200 mothers whosever taken part in study, 24.50 % had inadequate knowledge, 64.50 % had moderate knowledge and 11.0 % had adequate knowledge. Age, education of mothers and family monthly income were having significant association with knowledge score at 0.05 level of significance. Conclusion: This study concluded that mothers were having moderate knowledge which is affected by mainly age and education of mothers, hence improving knowledge level of mothers can positively impact growth and development of children.