A quasi experimental study to assess the effectiveness of nurse-led intervention on knowledge regarding malnutrition of under five year children among anganwadi workers in selected urban ICDS centers, Agra, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Aim: The objectives of the study were1. To assess and compare the pre interventional knowledge on malnutrition among experimental and comparison group AWW. 2. To assess and compare the post interventional knowledge of malnutrition between experimental and comparison group of AWW. 3. To associate the pre interventional level of knowledge on malnutrition with selected demographic variable. Method: 130 AWWs from urban ICDS center of Agra were included as samples by purposive sampling. Data to assess the knowledge was collected by close-ended questionnaire with 50 items with maximum score of 50. The felt learning needs were assessed by open-ended questionnaire. Reliability of the questionnaire was tested by test retest method and the tool was found to be reliable (r = 0.83). Validity was tested by consultation with guides and experts from related field. Results: Analysis showed that AWWs had total mean percentage of 53.2%. Area wise mean percentage was highest (68.0%) in the area 'assessment of malnutrition', it was higher (57.0%) in the area prevention of malnutrition, 41.0 in the area 'management of malnutrition' and 40.0 for the area 'factors related to malnutrition'. Further, most of the AWWs expressed felt learning needs in all areas of malnutrition. Power point presentation (PPT) was prepared focusing on areas and subareas where mean knowledge score was average or below average and also based on felt learning needs expressed by AWWs in the open-ended questionnaire. PPT was validated by consulting guides and experts from related field. Effectiveness of the module was evaluated by a post-test. Interpretation and conclusion: Total mean percentage of knowledge scores of AWWs improved from 53.2% to 97.6%. Further, area wise knowledge mean percentage improved from 40.0% in pre-test to 94.0% in post-test in the area ' factors related to malnutrition'. The same increased from 57.0% to 97.3% for the area prevention of malnutrition. The mean percentage for the area 'management of malnutrition' was 41.0% in pre-test which increased to 99.0% in post-test and mean percentage of the area 'assessment of malnutrition' was 68.0% in pre-test whereas it was 100.0% in post-test. Paired’t’ test indicated very highly significant (P> 0.001) difference between the pre­test and post-test knowledge scores of AWWs regarding malnutrition. Further chi-square test indicated no association (P 0.05) between the years of experience as Anganwadi worker and post-test knowledge scores of AWWs.