A Study to Determine the Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme on Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Ear Infection, Management and its Prevention among Mothers of under Five Children in Selected Rural Areas of Udupi District

Objectives of the study: To assess the knowledge of mothers of under five children regarding ear infection, management and its prevention. To assess the attitude of mothers of under five children regarding ear infection, management and its prevention. To evaluate the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge and attitude regarding ear infection management and its prevention among mothers of under five children in a selected rural areas of Udupi District. To find out an association between knowledge on ear infection, management and its prevention with selected demographic variables. To find out an association between attitude on ear infection, management and its prevention with selected demographic variables. Settings and Design: A pre-experimental, "one group pre-test, post - test design" was used for the study. The study was carried out in the selected rural areas, named Kumbashi and Saligrama in Udupi District. Methods and Material: The sample size comprised of 50 mothers of under five children were selected using non-probability, purposive sampling technique. Formal written permission was obtained from the authorities and informed consent obtained from the mothers to conduct the study. The knowledge level and attitude scale were assessed by using structured knowledge and attitude questionnaire. The data was analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The study findings revealed that knowledge scores and attitude scores of mothers were inadequate before the administration of structured teaching programme. In the pre-test majority (84%) of mothers had moderate level of knowledge level and (14%) of mothers had inadequate knowledge level and in the case of attitude level (52%) of mothers had average attitude level and only (2%) of samples had good attitude level and the mean pre-test knowledge score and attitude score (12±2.6) and (12.72±5.49) respectively . In the post-test majority (64%) of mothers had adequate knowledge level and (34%) of mothers had moderate level of knowledge level and in the case of attitude level (56%) of mothers had good attitude level and none had poor attitude score. The mean post-test knowledge and attitude score (17.86±2.72) and (25.82±6.39) respectively. The mean obtained for overall mean pre-test knowledge and attitude score of sample's is 8.90 with a standard deviation of 2.32 and 5.49 SD with 12.72 mean respectively. Overall post-test knowledge score of mothers is 16.78 with standard deviation of 1.82 and attitude score SD is 6.39 and mean is 25.82. The mean post-test knowledge and attitude scores 16.78 and 25.82 higher than mean pre-test knowledge scores 8.90 and 12.72. The computed 't' value 11.84 (p<0.05)showed that there is highly significant difference between the pre-test and post-test mean knowledge scores 5.86. The computed 't' value 12.19 (p<0.05)showed that there is highly significant difference between the pre-test and post-test mean attitude scores. The χ² test showed that there was no significant association between the knowledge and attitude score with selected demographic variables. Interpretation and Conclusion: The data was analyzed by applying Descriptive and Inferential statistics. The results of the study showed that structured teaching programme helps the mother to improve their knowledge and attitude regarding management and prevention of ear infection in under five children.