Knowledge Regarding Prevention of Low Birth Weight Babies among Antenatal Mothers

Abstract

Low Birth Weight is a life-threatening condition. The occurrence of this condition causes substantial morbidity and mortality in children. Nurses have an important role in primary and preventive care of the community. Antenatal mothers must be made aware of this condition and their active cooperation in prevention and control measures. A Pre-experimental study to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding prevention of low birth weight babies among antenatal mothers at PHC Gari harsaru, Gurgaon. Objectives of the study to assess the level of knowledge among antenatal mothers regarding prevention of low birth weight babies. To evaluate the effect of structured teaching programme on mothers by post test. To associate the relationship between post test knowledge scores with selected demographic variables. The study consists of 50 Antenatal Mothers, who are in-between below 20 to above 35 years and available at the time of study at PHC Gari harsaru, Gurgaon. Convenient sampling method was used for the selection of samples. The instrument for the data collection was a structured knowledge questionnaire. Result: There is a significant difference between the scores of pre-test and post-test knowledge of antenatal mothers regarding prevention of low birth weight. In pre-test the mothers had 41(82%) of inadequate knowledge in post-test majority of the mothers 42 (84%) has adequate knowledge. It also shows that there is an association between demographic variables with post-test knowledge scores. The demographic variables which have relationship are age, education, parity. Earlier studies conducted by other researchers also showed educational programs are helpful in increasing the knowledge of antenatal mothers.