European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

KNOWLEDGE ON WEANING PRACTICES AMONG MOTHERS AT SELECTED HOSPITALS OF MANGALURU: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Hafseena C. P.*, Jaisy T. J., Jemy Reji, Jiji Shaji, Jincy K. Raju and Benazeera

ABSTRACT

Weaning is the nutritional practice that helps to improve the nutritional status of the baby. Weaning refers to the period during which an infant gradually becomes accustomed to food other than milk. Weaning too early may cause baby at higher risk of developing digestive disorders and allergies to some foods. So there is a necessity to gain adequate knowledge by the mother about weaning practices. Hence an attempt has been made by the investigators to assess the knowledge on weaning practices among mothers at selected hospitals of mangaluru. Statement of the problem “A study to assess the knowledge on weaning practices among mothers at selected hospitals of mangaluruâ€Â. Objectives of the Study: The objectives of the study are 1. To assess the knowledge on weaning practices among mothers. 2. To find the association between knowledge on weaning practices and selected demographical variables. Methods: Non experimental descriptive research design was considered as appropriate design for the study. The setting of the study is Pediatric OPD, postnatal ward and pediatric wards of selected hospitals of Mangaluru. The participants of the study comprises of mothers of infants aged upto 6 months to 1 year, who are willing to participate in the study and who are available at the time of study. The measurements used for the study is demographic variables and knowledge questionnaire. Result: For achieving the research result, the collected data must be processed and analyzed in an orderly coherent fashion. The term analysis means the computation of certain measures that exist among the data collection of 100 mothers of infants regarding knowledge on weaning practices. The data collection was done using structured knowledge questionnaire. The collected information was organized, tabulated, analyzed and interpreted using descriptive and inferential statistics.

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