Mother's Knowledge on Nutrition and Incidence of Malnutrition Sawane Kalpana1,*, Barde Sheetal1 1Asst. Prof., Symbiosis College of Nursing, Symbiosis International University *Corresponding Author: Kalpana Sawane Asst. Prof., Symbiosis College of Nursing, Symbiosis International University, Email: kalpanasawane@scon.edu.in
Online published on 21 February, 2019. Abstract Background Malnutrition “the silent emergency” is an dreadful condition which is one of the leading cause of at least half of the 10.4 million child deaths in each year.1 Infants and young children are most susceptible to protein energy malnutrition characteristic growth impairment because of their high energy and protein needs and their vulnerability infection. Globally, children who are poorly nourished suffer up to 160 days of illness.2 Purpose The main purpose of the study is to assess the relationship between mother's knowledge on nutrition and incidence of malnutrition among Under-five children Methodology A descriptive correlational study was conducted on 100 under-five year children and their mothers from Mutha village of Pune from Oct 2015 to July 2016. Non-probability convenience sampling technique was used to select the samples. Sample size was calculated by power analysis. Demographic characteristics, structured questionnaire and UNICEF Criteria were used to collect data from the subjects. The obtained data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Frequencies, percentage, mean and standard deviation was used to explain demographic variables and to assess the mother's knowledge on nutrition and the incidence of malnutrition among under-five children. p value was calculated for the association between mothers knowledge on nutrition and incidence of malnutrition Result and Discussion One of the majority finding was that the mothers of under-five children had average knowledge regarding nutrition of under-five children and the incidence rate of malnutrition out of 100 samples was 64 and only 36% were healthy as per Gomez's classification. There is strong association between mothers knowledge on nutrition and incidence of malnutrition in Under-five children (p<0.05). Demographic age, education and dietary pattern were found to have significant association with incidence of malnutrition. It is concluded and recommended that mothers should be educated about nutrition so that incidence of malnutrition can be decreased. Top Keywords Malnutrition, Nutrition, Mothers knowledge, Rural Health. Top |