KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MALNUTRITION ITS PREVENTION AND CONTROL AMONG MOTHERS OF UNDER FIVE CHIDREN IN RURAL AREA

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition is one kind of crucial trouble among the little ones in India. The most of the children are suffering from malnutrition due to inadequate knowledge of parents about nutrition. Objectives of the study to assess the knowledge and find out the association between the knowledge regarding malnutrition its prevention and control among mothers of under five children with selected socio demographic variables. The health promotion model (HPM) proposed by Nola J Pender (1982; revised, 2002) was used in the study. A quantitative research approach, descriptive study was conducted at rural area among 100 mothers of under five children at rural area. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used in the study. The self structured questionnaire was designed to assess the knowledge level of malnutrition its prevention and control. The collected data were analyzed by using frequency, percentage and chi square test. Result: The study findings revealed that out of 100, majority of the mothers of under-five children had average (77%) score ranges from9 to 16. The mean knowledge score is 2.09 with a standard deviation of 0.47344. It was also concluded from Chi square test that was no significant association found between knowledge score of Malnutrition its prevention and control with socio demographical variables. Conclusion: The results indicated that the importance of awareness regarding malnutrition its prevention and control preserve and secure the health of the children in India. Thus, it was recommended to include these issues in the training programs for awareness of prevention and control of Malnutrition.