INTRODUCTION:

Children's behavioral problems are a matter of growing concern in today's society. Understanding and addressing these issues are crucial for ensuring the well-being and development of children. Nurses play a pivotal role in pediatric healthcare, and their knowledge and skills are instrumental in identifying, managing, and supporting children with behavioral problems¹.

This study embarks on a significant exploration of the effectiveness of a structured teaching programme aimed at enhancing the knowledge of nursing students in Mumbai regarding behavioral problems in children. The focus is on students in selected schools and colleges of nursing, as these institutions are pivotal in shaping the future of nursing care¹.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY:

According to ‘Meeting Children's Needs’ in principles of parenting by H. Wallace Goddard, a child development specialist, the way parents respond to their child’s need or demand teaches the child about the world he lives in and how to react to it. Good mental health allows children to think clearly, develop socially and learn new skills. Children need the opportunity to explore and develop new skills and independence. At the same time children need to learn certain behaviours are unacceptable and that they are responsible for the consequences for their actions. Additionally good friends and encouraging words from adults are all important for helping children develop self-confidence, high self-esteem and a healthy emotional outlook on life.⁸ Developmental and behavioural problems need to be handled by working closely with school’s nursery, crèche and other agencies involved with developmental care and education. Infancy and childhood are very much important in determining the future behaviour and character of the children. Childhood is the period of dependency. Development and behaviour of children happens first and foremost in the context of the family, so expats seek to understand the family’s view of the problem and effect of the child's problem on the family. So, the management and educational guidance of the children is necessary in behavioural problems of the children⁷.

PROBLEM STATEMENT:

A study to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding

behavioural problems of children among nursing students in selected school and college of nursing in Mumbai

OBJECTIVES:

· To assess the level of pretest knowledge regarding behavioural problems of school children among nursing students in selected school and college of nursing

· To deliver a structured teaching program on knowledge regarding behavioural problems of children among nursing students in selected school and college of nursing

· To assess the level of post-test knowledge regarding behavioural problems of school children among nursing students in selected school and college of nursing

· To find out the association between the knowledge regarding behavioural problems of children among nursing students in selected school and college of nursing with selected demographic variables.

HYPOTHESIS:

H1: There will be a significant difference between pretest and post-test knowledge scores on knowledge regarding behavioural problems of children among nursing students in selected school and college of nursing

H2: There will be a significant association between post-test knowledge scores and selected demographic variables.

ASSUMPTIONS:

· Majority of nursing students may have inadequate knowledge regarding the management of behavioural problems of children.

· Majority of nursing students may have previous knowledge regarding behavioural problems

· will help them to recognize and detect the disorders among the children at an early stage.

· Structured teaching programmes will enhance the knowledge of nursing students regarding selected behavioural problems of children.

LIMITATIONS:

· Students who are studying in 2^nd year GNM and 3^rd year B.Sc. Nursing

· Who are willing to participate in the study.

· Who are available at the time of data collection.

· The size of the sample only 60 hence the finding should be generalized with caution.

· The study did not use any control group. There was a possibility of a threat to internal validity, such as events occurring between pre test and post-test session like mass media or other people can influence the Nursing student’s knowledge.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:

RESEARCH APPROACH:

A quasi-experimental approach, a subtype of quantitative approach was used for the study. Quasi-experiment involves the manipulation of independent variables that are implementing an intervention⁵.

RESEARCH DESIGN:

One group pre-test post-test research design was adapted for this study. It involves the randomization, manipulation of independent variables that is by implementing an intervention³.

Q1 Pre-test assessment

X Intervention

Q2 Post-test assessment

RESEARCH VARIABLES:

The Independent variables were structured teaching programme on behavioural problems among nursing students. The dependent variable is the knowledge among nursing students regarding behavioural problems and the influencing variable is demographic variables².

SETTING OF THE STUDY:

The study was conducted in K.J. Somaiya School and College of Nursing

POPULATION:

The accessible population includes the 2^nd Year GNM and 3^rd Year B.sc Nursing students

SAMPLES AND SAMPLE SIZE:

The sample size included in the study consists of 60 nursing students

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF SAMPLES:

Inclusion Criteria:

· Both male and female students

· Students who are willing to participate in this study

Exclusion Criteria:

· The students who are not available at the time of data collection

SAMPLING TECHNIQUE:

The samples were selected by using Purposive Sampling Technique; it is a type of probability sampling method.

Description of the Tool:

The researcher has developed a structured questionnaire after reviewing the literature and considering the opinion of psychiatric nursing experts to assess the knowledge regarding behavioural problems. The tool consists of two sections.

Section –A

Demographic Variable - It includes age, sex, years of study, previous children identified with behavioural problems

Section – B

Structured Questionnaire: To assess the knowledge regarding behavioural problems. It contains 10 multiple choice questions to assess knowledge regarding behavioural problems among nursing students. Each question has 4 options in which one option is correct and the other three options are wrong. Each correct answer carries one mark, the wrong answer carries a zero mark, the possible maximum mark is 10 and the minimum score is zero.

Grading of Knowledge Level:

Level of knowledge	Score
Inadequate	1-3
Moderately adequate	4-6
adequate	7-10

Tool Validity and Reliability:

Content validity:

The tool was given to five experts in the field of paediatric and psychiatric nursing and psychiatrist for content validity. All the comments and suggestions given by the expert were duly considered and correction was made after discussion with the research guide.

Reliability:

The reliability of the tool was determined by Brown Spearman split-half method, showing knowledge questionnaire reliability with +0.98. So, the reliability of the tool was satisfactory.

PILOT STUDY:

The pilot study was a trial run for a major study to test the reliability, practicability, appropriateness, and flexibility of the study and the tool. The sample size was 6 of nursing students. Prior to the study, formal permission was obtained from the Pprincipal of the school and college of nursing. Students were assessed by using a structured questionnaire. The pilot study finding revealed that there was a significant increase in the knowledge of nursing students. Pilot study shows there is a feasibility of the research project.

DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE:

The study was conducted on 13th February 2023 where prior to panel discussion pretest done and post test was collected on 20th February 2023. The researcher explained the purpose of the study in a compassionate manner and informed consent was taken from the students 60 samples were selected from the School and College by using purposive sampling technique.

PLAN FOR DATA ANALYSIS:

The data analysis was done by using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The demographic variables were analysed by using the frequency and percentage. The effectiveness of structured teaching programmes regarding behavioural problems and an association between demographic variables was analysed by using “t’’ test and X2 test respectively⁵.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATION:

In ethical consideration the researcher planned to do research in college of nursing, submitting an application giving assurance to abide by the rules and regulation. Confidentiality of the sample and the collected data are maintained⁵.

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATIONS:

The demographic data of nursing students have been recorded. Majority of the sample belonged to the age group of 20-21 years i.e., 80% and 20% of the sample were from 22-24 years of age group.

Knowledge of the sample in relation to various aspects of behavioural problems was assessed before and after panel discussion. test knowledge about enuresis 68.3%, related to encopresis 18.3%, related to thumb sucking and nail biting 48.3%, related to pica 13.3%, related to tics 58.3%, related to somnambulism and somnaqulism 20%, related to anorexia nervosa 28.3%, related to bulimia 41.6%, related to neglected child 58.3% and related to temper tantrum 88.3%

Overall improvement in knowledge was increased from 76.7% to 100.0%. for post-test knowledge scores computed SD (standard Deviation) is 1.6 and calculated ‘t’ value is 8.1. which proved that panel discussion was effective in improvement of knowledge of sample. Association of demographic variables with knowledge of sample showed that age was not associated with gained in knowledge.

Analysis of Overall Knowledge Score of Samples:

Table 1: Pre test knowledge of a student in relation to behavioural problems in children

Component	Pre Test	Post Test
Enuresis	68.3	81.6
Encopresis	18.3	38.3
Thumb Sucking And Nail Biting	48.3	70
Pica	13.3	41.6
Tics	58.3	81.6
Somnambulism And Somnaqulism	20	38.3
Anorexia Nervosa	28.3	48.3
Bulimia	41.6	71.6
Neglected Child	58.3	76.6
Temper Tantrum	88.3	96.6

Table 1: Pre test knowledge of a student in relation to behavioural problems in children

CONCLUSION:

During the study, it was observed that the panel discussion had shown a significant difference in relation to knowledge of nursing students related to behavioural problems in children. They had also showed interest interactive question - answer session which was held at the end of panel discussion. The finding of the study showed that there was a marked improvement in their knowledge after panel discussion.

REFERENCES:

1. Beharmann, (2000). Text Book of Paediatrics. (1st edition) Singapore: Harcouret Are Pvt.Ltd.

2. Behman, Khighan (1998). Essential Paediatrics. (2nd edition). Singapore: Harcourt Brac Publishers.

3. Barbara, Johnson. (1995). Child, Adolescent and Family Psychiatric nursing. (2^nd edition). Philadelphia: J.B Lippincott Publication.

4. Basavanthappa, B.T (2003). Nursing Research. (1st edition). New Delhi: Jaypee Publisher

5. Polit, D.F (1995). Nursing Research and Methods. (1st Edition). Philadephia: Lippincott Publication.

6. Polit, D.F and Beck C.T (2006). Nursing Research. (7th Edition). New Delhi: Wolters Kluwer Health publication.

7. Flouri, E. (2016). Father’s behaviour and children’s psychopathology. Retrieved from www.pubmed.com

8. Herrenkohl, T.I (2014). Intersection of child abuse and children’s exposure to domestic violence. Retrieved from www.pubmed.com

9. Jamila, Reid, M (2013). Preventing conduct problems and improving school readiness. Retrieved from www.medscape.com

Received on 17.06.2023 Modified on 20.08.2023

Asian J. Nursing Education and Research. 2023; 13(4):301-304.

DOI: 10.52711/2349-2996.2023.00062