A Study to Assess the Knowledge among Mothers of under-Five Children Regarding Selected Behavioural Problems in Urban Community

Abstract

Children are our future and our most precious resources. The quality of tomorrow’s world and perhaps even its survival will be determined by the development of children today. Normal children are healthy, happy and well adjusted. This adjustment is developed by providing basic emotional needs along with physical and physiological needs for the mental wellbeing. Early childhood is the critical period in behaviour formation. Behavioural problems refer to the deviation of behaviour from the normal behaviour. Sometimes children show a wide variety of behaviours which create problems to the parents, family members and society. Behavioural problems always require special attention. Objectives: To assess the knowledge among mother regarding behavioural problem. To associate the knowledge among mother regarding behavioural problems in under-five children with selected demographic variables. Setting: Selected urban community areas of Pune city. Participants: Mothers of under-five years of children, 100 participants from selected urban community. The sample were chosen according to non -probability purposive sampling. Methods: The tool, Structured Questionnaire is used with closed-format, multiple choice questions comprise of two sections. Section A contains 7 questions on demographic profile of sample such as Age, education, occupation, family income ,type of family, number and age of children. Section B contains 20 questions, seeking information on knowledge among mother regarding behavioural problem such as meaning, causes and management of disorders. Data Collection: Official permission taken from the Municipal Corporation and Medical Officer of Corporation hospitals for the study to be conducted in urban community. After obtaining the informed consent, all participants were given the questionnaire related to demographic data and knowledge regarding behavioural problems. Data analysis is done using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: Total knowledge score of 100 mothers is 45.1%, i.e. the mothers had average knowledge regarding behavioural problems. Common Behavioural Problems the mothers scored 54.50%. Regarding Thumb sucking they scored only 27%. Nail biting (47.33%) and Tics(48.33%) they scored almost equally. Pica(49%) and Temper Tantrum (48.33%)are also almost same. The findings of relationship of selected variables show that there is an association between knowledge and age of the mother, type of family and monthly income. And no association is seen between knowledge and age of child, number of children and occupation of the mother. Conclusion: The main aim of the study was to assess the knowledge among mothers of under-five children regarding behavioural problems. Some behavioural problems are common in most children and it may occur whatever the family or home situation. It ranges from mild, short lived periods of unacceptable behaviour. There may be few severe problems such as conduct disorder and refusal to go to school, which may need specialist management. These can be detected in the early stage and appropriate management can be taken to prevent its advancement and complications, when mothers have good knowledge regarding these behavioural problems.