Revista de Práticas Avançadas em Enfermagem

A Study to Assess the Level of Knowledge Regarding Protein Energy Malnutrition among Mothers of Under Five Children at Selected Area of Guduvancherry

Abstract

AR. Bharathi

To assess the level of knowledge of protein energy malnutrition among mothers of under five children and associate the knowledge of protein energy malnutrition among mothers of under five children with their selected demographic variables. An extensive review of literature for the study was done which helped the investigator identify, select, critically analyze and report on existing information of the problem selected for the study and design the methodology tool for data collection. The research approach was quantitative and the research design adopted was descriptive research design. The researcher used convenient sampling technique and selected 30 mothers of under five children for the study. The researcher used standardized tool: the mother’s knowledge of protein energy malnutrition, which consisted of 10 demographic variables and 15 questions for assessing the knowledge of protein energy malnutrition. Regarding the knowledge of protein energy malnutrition, (23.3%) mothers had inadequate knowledge, 14 (46.7%) mothers had moderate knowledge and 9 (30%) mothers had adequate knowledge. Considering the association of level of knowledge of the mothers with the demographic variables, mother’s education showed significant association (X2=9.8), type of family showed significant association (X2=3.18). Hence the knowledge of protein energy malnutrition among mothers of under five children can be enhanced through compassion, competence, conscience, confidence, and commitment among instructors working in the clinical area.