A Study to Assess the Knowledge Attitude and Practices of Mothers Regarding Prevention of Iodine Deficiency among School Children in a Selected Rural Area, Bangalore

Iodine is found in food as iodide such as sea food, iodized salt, cereals, fresh foods, vegetables also contain iodine but if they are only grown in iodine-rich soils. Vegetarians may also be at risk of iodine deficiency if they do not eat sea food. Instead they can get their iodine from iodized salt and fresh foods. A Study was conducted in a selected rural area Chikkabasthi village under Sullekeri Primary Health centre Bangalore to Assess the Knowledge Attitude and Practices of Mothers Regarding Prevention of Iodine Deficiency among School Children. Descriptive design was used to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of mothers regarding prevention of iodine deficiency among school children in a selected rural area. In a view to find out the nature of the problem and to accomplish the objectives of the study, structured interview schedule was prepared focusing on knowledge, 3 point likert scale for attitude and 3 point rating scale for practices were used. Reliability of the tool was tested and validity was ensured in consultation with guides and experts in the fields of Community Medicine and Community Health Nursing. The study was carried out in Chikkabasti and Ramasandra villages, mothers of school children were selected using probability simple random sampling technique. Structured interview schedule was used to collect the needed data. Collected data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics.

The study concluded that the mothers have moderately adequate knowledge, moderately favorable attitude and moderate practices regarding prevention of iodine deficiency. Based on the above findings health education pamphlet was prepared and distributed to the mothers on prevention of iodine deficiency among school children.