Knowledge and Practice among Mothers of under Five Children Regarding Prevention and Management of Protein Energy Malnutrition
Author : Dr. Santhosh SU, Dr. Shwetha Rani CM, Parashram, G Shivaprasad and Baljinder Kaur
Abstract :
Backround: A nation’s health depends on healthy citizens. A healthy adult emerges from a healthy child. Children are priceless resources and if the nation neglects their health, it would become a nation of unhealthy citizens.
Children are human resources of the future. Their development is in the interest of the total national development. Under five children aged (1-5 yrs.) represent about 12% of the general population in children. A large majority of these children are in rural and tribal areas and in urban slums, they need special attention but unfortunately these children are comparatively less attended. The mortality rate in India is as high as 11.2% of all deaths of under-fives. The high mortality rate is largely due to infection and malnutrition. Hence malnutrition was shown to be an underlying cause in 3.4% of all deaths in all young children.
Malnutrition is a “man-made disease” which often starts in the womb and ends in the tomb. Malnutrition is defined as any nutritional disorder caused by an insufficient, unbalanced, or excessive diet or impaired absorption or assimilation of nutrients by the body. It is a state wherein adequate nutrients are not delivered to the cells to provide the substrate for optimal functioning. The term malnutrition includes both under-nutrition as well as over-nutrition.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive survey research design to assess the Knowledge and Practice among Mothers of under five children Regarding prevention and management of protein energy malnutrition. The study conducted on 100 samples. Samples were selected by non-probability purposive sampling. Data was collected using structured questionnaire instrument.
Results: The data revealed that, Majority of the respondents were in the age group of 19-30 years and all were Hindus. Most of them were housewives and had studied up to higher primary level and were from the Nuclear Family background. Highest%age of respondents had a family income of less than Rs. 3000 per month.
Overall mean knowledge score among respondents was found to be 52.05% on prevention of protein energy malnutrition, indicating higher knowledge on the aspects of signs and symptoms of protein energy malnutrition.
Overall mean practice score among respondents established with 53.26% indicating better practice on the aspect of breast feeding practices.
Conclusion: After the detailed analysis of the study findings showed that overall mean knowledge score among respondents was found to be 52.05% on prevention of protein energy malnutrition, indicating higher knowledge on the aspects of signs and symptoms of protein energy malnutrition. Whereas overall mean practice score among respondents established with 53.26% indicating better practice on the aspect of breast feeding practices.
Keywords :
PEM (protein energy malnutrition), mothers, under five children
