A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Planned Teaching Programme on Knowledge on Prevention and Control of Malnutrition Among Mothers of Under Five Children Residing in Vantmuri Primary Health Centre of Belgaum City, Karnataka

Background: It is often stated that children are the world's most valuable resources and assets, but their rights throughout the world are largely ignored often resulting into tragic outcomes. If a person's diet does not contain enough nutrients to meet the demands of their body it is known as malnutrition. Malnutrition is responsible for more than one third of all deaths in developing countries. Malnutrition in children is not affected by food intake alone; it is also influenced by access to health services, quality of care for the child and pregnant mother as well as good hygiene practices. About 30 per cent of all newborns have a low birth weight, making them vulnerable to further malnutrition and disease. Objective: To assess the knowledge on prevention and control of malnutrition among mothers of under five children, To assess the effectiveness of planned teaching programme on knowledge on prevention and control of malnutrition among mothers of under five children., To find out the association between pretest knowledge scores of mothers with selected demographic variables. Material and Methods: The study was evaluative in nature and. A convenient sampling technique was used with a total of 65 mothers from the rural area. A tool was prepared and pilot study was conducted. The data collection was done by using a structured knowledge questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed by using Descriptive and Inferential Statistics. Results: The results revealed that the knowledge scores of the mothers of under five children regarding malnutrition were in pre-test majority of the Mothers 47 (72.31%) had average knowledge whereas, in post test 51(78.46%) of Mothers had good knowledge and 14(21.54%) had average knowledge. These scores revealed that majority of the mothers are having average and below average knowledge. Conclusion: The Planned teaching programme administration was effective to enhance the knowledge of subjects on prevention and control of malnutrition.