Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Diarrhoea & Its Management among Mothers of Under Five Children at Dehere Primary Health Center, Ahmednagar: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Objectives: 1) to assess the knowledge of mothers of under five children regarding diarrhoea and its management. 2) to determine  the attitude of mothers of under five children regarding diarrhoea and its management. 3) to find out the association between the level of knowledge and attitude with selected demographic variables. 4) to find out the correlation between knowledge and attitude of mothers of under five children regarding diarrhoea and its management. The conceptual work used in this study is based on modified Ludwig Von Bertalaniffy’s general system theory. The non-probability purposive sampling technique was used for selecting the sample. Tools used to collect the data included Demographic profile of the samples (Part-A). Structured questions for interview schedule to assess knowledge level (Part-B) & three point Likert scale to assess attitude (Part-C). the tool was validated by 11 experts and the reliability of tool was determined by Split hall method (Knowledge questionnaire 0.96 & Likert’s  attitude scale 0.80). The pilot study was conducted at Vilad Ghat sub center after obtaining due permission from Medical Health Officer, Primary Health Center, Dehere. The finding revealed feasibility of the tool and practicability of the study. The main study was conducted after obtaining permission from the medical health officer, Primary Health Center, Dehere. The data collected were analysed using SPSS 16.0. The findings of the study revealed that 36 (60%) of the respondents had inadequate knowledge (<50%) and 24 (40%) of the respondents had moderate knowledge (51-75%) and none had adequate knowledge regarding diarrhoea and its management. For attitude part 41 (68.4%) of the respondents had unfavourable attitude (<50%) and 19 (31.6%) of the respondents had poorly favourable (51-75%) and non had favourable attitude towards diarrhoea and its management. The study concluded with positive correlation between knowledge level along with attitude regarding diarrhoea and its management.