A Descriptive Study to Assess the Knowledge and Practice Regarding Toilet Training among the Mothers of Early Childhood (17 to 30 Months) Children in Selected Rural Area at Tumkur District, Karnataka

Background: Toilet training can be considered a progressive process that consists of several stages for which the child must acquire both physical and cognitive self control. It includes discussing, undressing, going, wiping, dressing, flushing and hand washing. It is an individualized task for each child. It should begin and be completed according to the child's ability to accomplish it, not according to a set schedule.

 Materials and methods: The descriptive study was conducted in Hebbur village, Tumkur, which is situated 15 km away from the Shree Siddaganga mutt, This setting is feasible due to geographical proximity and availability of sufficient sample ie. 100 mothers by using descriptive correlation design and the sampling was Random sampling technique.

Results:

• The statistical analysis showed that out of 100 mothers of early childhood (17 to 30 months) children, 17% had adequate knowledge, 68% had moderately adequate knowledge and only 15% had inadequate knowledge regarding toilet training of early childhood. 
• The mean percentage level of knowledge of mothers of early childhood (17 to 30 months) children regarding toilet training was 59.5% and the mean was 11.9 with standard deviation of 2.3. The statistical analysis showed that out of 100 mothers of early childhood (17 to 30 months) children 26% had better practice, 63% had good practice and 11% of them had poor practice regarding toilets training among mothers of early childhood children. 
• The mean percentage level of practices of mothers of early childhood (17 to 30 months) children regarding toilet training was 65.71%, the mean was 13.8 with standard deviation of 2.9.
• The correlation coefficient between level of knowledge and practice of mothers of early childhood (17 to 30 months) children regarding toilet training. The correlation coefficient obtained was r=0.62. This value indicates that there was a positive correlation between level of knowledge and practice of mothers of early childhood (17 to 30 months) regarding toilet training.
• The obtained chi-square value shows that there was a significant association between the education of mother (χ² = 6.41, df=2, p<0.05), and there was statistical significant association between the practice with number of children ( χ² = 6.99, df=2, p<0.05),but it didn't show any significant association with other demographic variables of mothers of early childhood children.

Conclusion: The statistical analysis showed that out of 100 mothers of early childhood (17 to 30 months) children, 17% had adequate knowledge, 68% had moderately adequate knowledge and only 15% had inadequate knowledge regarding toilet training of early childhood children. The mean percentage level of knowledge mothers of early childhood (17 to 30 months) children regarding toilet training was 59.5% and the mean was 11.9 with standard deviation of 2.3. and 26% had better practices, 63% had good practice and 11% of them had good practice regarding toilets training among mothers of early childhood children. The correlation coefficient between level of knowledge and practices of mothers of early childhood (17 to 30 months) children regarding toilet training. The correlation coefficient obtained was r=0.62. This value indicates that there was a positive correlation between level of knowledge and practice of mothers of early childhood (17 to 30 months)children regarding toilet training. The obtained chi-square value shows that there was a significant association between the education of mother (χ² = 6.41, df=2, p<0.05), and there was statistical significant association between the practice with number of children ( χ² = 6.99, df=2, p<0.05),but it didn't show any significant association with other demographic variables of mothers of early childhood children.