A Study to Assess the Knowledge and Practices of
Mothers Regarding Worm Infestation among School age Children (6-12 Years) in
Order to Develop Health Education Pamphlet in a Selected Rural Community,
Bangalore.
Swarajyam
Y.*
Lecturer, Kamineni Institute
of Medical Sciences College of Nursing, Sreepuram, Narketpally, Nalgonda (Dist),
Andhra Pradesh - 508254
ABSTRACT:
Worm
infestation is one of the major health problems in developing India. It mainly
affects the children, which may deteriorate their health status. Though it
affects health badly it is easily preventable. Descriptive survey approach and
Descriptive and co relational design was used for the above study. And a
modified structured interview schedule was prepared focusing on the level of
knowledge and practices of mothers.
In
This study 100 mothers of school age children were selected by simple random
sampling technique. Collected data was analyzed by using descriptive and
inferential statistics.
Conclusion: Research hypotheses stated were
accepted. It was concluded that there is a need to improve the knowledge and
practices with regard to prevention of worm infestation. Hence, health
education pamphlet was prepared.
KEYWORDS: Mothers;
worm infestation; School age children;
Health education pamphlet.
INTRODUCTION:
Background of the study
Children
constitute a large section of the population in India. It has been a great
challenge to the nation to provide health, education and food to the children
below 12 years. School age population comprising of 38% of
the country, who are dependent, unproductive but has great potential.
The
formative years of childhood has greater risk for morbidity and mortality. In
most cases, the manifold childhood problems are interrelated and affect the
growth and development of children, the most common ones being infections,
parasitic infestations and malnutrition. The magnitude of parasitic
infestations among children constitutes a major public health problem in many
parts of the world. In India, the infestation is particularly heavy in the
areas with warm, damp climates with heavy rainfall, as in the west coast1.
Worm
infestation is one of the common health problem worlds wide especially in
children. WHO estimated that about 1400 million people worldwide are infested
with at least one type of intestinal worm. The common
helminthes found in India are round worm, hookworm, pinworm and tapeworm,
commonly acquired orally or percutaneously or both
routes. According to a study done by Krishnan, the prevalence of intestinal
worms in India varies from 5-76% in different places. In Dakshina
Kannada district ascariasis superseded all other helminthes with an incidence of 48.33% worm
infestation is the most common problem in children due to its close association
with health practices and sanitary conditions2.
A
participatory action research was conducted at a selected village Dhotra (Kasar) in Wardha District of central India to find out the prevalence
of intestinal parasites and its epidemiological correlates among rural Indian
school going (6-14 years) children. The results showed that out of 118 subjects
examined 21(17.8%, 95%CI, and 11.4-25.9%) had intestinal parasitic infection.
The prevalence was significantly high among children having untrimmed nails
(47.4%, 95%CI, 30.9-64.1%) followed by those having poor hand washing practices
(37.2%, 95%CI, 22.9-53.2%) 3.
Also
the investigator herself came across the problems of environmental sanitation
and poor hygiene in rural communities during the field experience. It is
identified that children and their families don’t possess basic knowledge on
worm infestation, though it is a preventable condition. However they knew that
the worms live in the gastro intestinal tract. Hence the investigator felt that
there is a strong need to educate children and their families with minimum
costs, within a short time with maximum effectiveness regarding knowledge and
practices on worm infestation.
·
To explore the
knowledge of mothers regarding worm infestation among school age children.
·
To assess the
practices of mothers regarding worm infestation among school age children.
·
To correlate the
knowledge and practices of mothers regarding worm infestation among school age
children.
·
To associate the
level of knowledge and practices of mothers regarding worm infestation with the
demographic variables.
·
To prepare a
health education pamphlet on worm infestation based on
findings and distribute it to the mothers of school age children.
MATERIALS AND
METHODS:
Research approach and Research design:
A
descriptive survey approach, Descriptive and co relational design was adopted
for the study. The structured interview schedule was used to assess the
knowledge and practices of mothers regarding worm infestations among school age
children.
Setting of the study:
The
study was conducted in selected rural community of Sullekeri
Primary Health Centre. The sullekeri
PHC at sullekeri, Bangalore. The study was
conducted in three selected villages such as Kenchenpura,
Ramsandra and Doddabasti.
Sample and sampling techniques:
The
sample of the study included 100 mothers residing at selected rural communities
of Sullekeri PHC, Bangalore by simple random sampling
technique.
Plan for data analysis:
Descriptive statistics:
·
Frequency and
percentage distribution were used to study the demographic variables of the
mothers regarding worm infestations among school age children.
·
Mean and standard
deviation were used to determine the level of knowledge and practices of
mothers regarding worm infestations among school age children.
Inferential
statistics:
·
Spearman’s co
relation was used to correlate the knowledge and practices of mothers regarding
worm infestations.
·
Chi square test
was used to find out the association between demographic variables and level of
knowledge and practices of mothers regarding worm infestations.
·
Level of
significance was fixed at 5% level.
RESULTS:
The
characteristics of the mothers in terms of their percentage distribution were,
majority 45% were in the age group of 26-30 years, 32% had completed secondary
education, 58% were housewives, 35% of subjects had family monthly income of
2,001-3,001 Rs per month, 57% of subjects belong to nuclear families, 53% of mothers
had two school age children, 69% had habit of consuming mixed diet, 71% were
practicing open air defecation, majority 72% had no pet animals and 49%
acquired knowledge about worm infestation through friends and relatives.
Table 1 : Frequency distribution of level of
knowledge of mothers regarding worm infestations
|
Level of knowledge |
Frequency and percentage |
|
Inadequate (<50%) |
20 |
|
Moderately adequate (50-74%) |
65 |
|
Adequate (≥ 75%) |
15 |
|
Total |
100 |
n =100
Graph 3.1:
Percentage distribution of level of practices among mothers on worm
infestations.
Table 2:
Mean, Standard Deviation, Mean score percentage of knowledge regarding
worm infestations
|
Area |
Max score |
Mean |
SD |
Mean score % |
|
General information |
17 |
10.16 |
2.52 |
59.7 |
|
Description of various types of worms |
13 |
7.27 |
1.80 |
55.9 |
|
Total |
30 |
17.43 |
3.85 |
58.1 |
n =100
Table 3 : Correlation between knowledge and practices
regarding worm infestations
|
Variable |
Practice |
‘p’
value |
|
Knowledge |
r = 0.482* |
P < 0.05 |
n=100; *- significant at P< 0.05
level.
The
variable age of the mother (X2 =14.03, df
=6), educational status (X2=101.94, df =6) and monthly
income of the family (X2=15.87, df =6) were statistically
significant at 5% level. This denotes there is a significant association
between level of knowledge with that of variables like age, education and
monthly income of the family.
The
variables, educational status (X2=6.07, df
=1) and occupation (X2=6.10, df =2) were statistically
significant at 5% level. This denotes there is a significant association
between level of practices with that of variables like educational status and
occupation.
DISCUSSION:
The
correlation between knowledge and practices showed that there was a positive correlation.
The ‘r’ value obtained was 0.482. Hence the research hypothesis H1
stated “there is a significant correlation between knowledge and practices of
mothers regarding worm infestation among school age children” was accepted.
This shows that efforts can be undertaken by the community health nurse to
educate the mothers regarding worm infestations, which may increase their
knowledge and improve practices to prevent the worm infestations.
The
research hypothesis H2 stated “There will be a significant association
between level of knowledge of mothers with demographic variables.” was accepted
in relation to the variables like age, education and monthly income of the
family. This indicates that the level
of knowledge is influenced by demographic variables.
The
research hypothesis H3 stated “There will be a significant
association between level of practices of mothers with demographic variables.”
was accepted in relation to the variables like educational status and
occupation. This indicates that the level of practices is influenced by
demographic variables. Based on the results, Health education pamphlet was
prepared and distributed to the mothers of school age children. It included
general description of the worms, types of worms, causes, manifestations, complications
and preventive measures.
Recommendations:
On
the basis of the findings of the study it is recommended that
1. A study can be undertaken with a large sample for
better generalization.
2. A similar study can be undertaken by adopting an
experimental design.
3. A similar study can be done to assess the knowledge of
school teachers. .
4. A comparative study can be done between rural and
urban mothers.
5. A similar study can be done among school children.
6. A similar study can be done among tribal children.
Limitations:
1. The study was limited to one selected rural community.
Therefore the possibility for wider generalization is limited.
2. The study was limited to mothers of school age
children
REFERENCES:
1.
Achar’s. Textbook of pediatrics. 3rd Edition.
New Delhi: Orient Longman pvt ltd; 2005: 379-84.
2.
Health-Topics-worms ;( updated 2007 sep; cited
2006 Nov 18). Available from
http://www.WHO.int/child-adolescent-health/
3.
Dongre AR, Deshmukh PR, Boratne AV, Thaware P, Garg BS. An approach to hygiene education among rural Indian
school going children. Online J Health Allied Scs.
2007; 4:2.
Received on 08.01.2011 Modified
on 22.01.2011
Accepted
on 06.02.2011 © A&V Publication all
right reserved
Asian J. Nur. Edu. & Research 1(1): Jan.-March 2011; Page 28-30