Knowledge and Practices Regarding Prevention of Protein Energy Malnutrition Among Mothers of Under Five Children

Background and Objective: Globally, PEM continues to be a major health burden in developing countries and the most important risk factor for illnesses and death especially among young children. The World Health Organization estimates that about 60% of all deaths, occurring among children aged less than five years in developing countries, could be attributed to malnutrition. In India, the major contributing factors are poverty and low social-economic status with low levels of education, poor sanitation and limited access to health services. Method: Descriptive survey approach was adopted to collect data. A structured interview schedule was prepared and administered to 100 mothers of under five children based on purposive sampling technique at the selected area of Gajipur, New Delhi. Result: Majority, 45.36 percent of mothers had knowledge related to general information of PEM, followed by 43.44 percent of the mothers who knew about causes, signs and symptoms of PEM. Majority 46.3 percent of the respondents had the right Dietary practice and 42 percent had the good practice of management of diarrhoea. There is significant association observed between knowledge and educational status of the mother. Interpretation and Conclusion: Overall findings showed that, the existing, knowledge and practice is found 45.52%&41.66% on prevention of protein energy malnutrition. The enhancement in both knowledge and practice is greatly required on the following areas of exclusive breast milk, initiation of breast milk, continuous feeding of breast milk and good dietary practices are the multidisciplinary action it should involve an research team and the findings should be communicated through Journals and other media in order to enlighten nursing students.