Evaluating the Impact of a Structured Teaching Program on Maternal Knowledge of Weaning Diets for Children Aged 6 Months to 2 Years

Abstract

Beginning with supplementation, weaning continues until the child is totally off breast milk. Indian babies are entirely breastfed till six months, and their growth is usually good. Breast milk alone cannot support growth after six months. Breast milk cannot provide enough calories and nutrients for growing newborns as it diminishes. Fruit juice supplementation is necessary since breast milk lacks vitamin C. Since a child’s liver stores iron for only 4-6 months, iron-rich foods should be offered after six months. Vitamin D is absent from breast milk. Starting additional meals around six months helps the youngster grow and stay healthy. This was a pre-experimental study (one group pre- and post-test). The sample included 100 moms from Mokhumpur, Dehradun. Study participants were selected via convenient sampling. Data was collected using a structured knowledge questionnaire. The pre-test showed that 15% (15) of mothers had inadequate weaning diet knowledge, 80% (80) had intermediate knowledge, and 5% (5) had adequate knowledge. After the intervention (a structured teaching program), 23% (23) had moderate knowledge, and 77% (77) had adequate understanding. Post-test knowledge scores (M = 21.86, SD = 2.98) were 7.09 points higher than pre-test scores (M = 14.77, SD = 3.59). The t-test value (t(99) = 26.660) and p-value (<0.001) indicate statistical significance (p-value < 0.05).