EFFECTIVENESS OF NURSING STRATEGIES ON KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF FEBRICIDAL MEASURES AMONG MOTHERS OF UNDER FIVE CHILDREN ADMITTED AT SELECTED HOSPITALS IN BANGALORE

Ruby Maria Tauro, Sheeja C. V.*, Nisha K. P., Maria P. Ignatius and Evangeline I.

ABSTRACT

Background: Fever is a temporary rise in body temperature. Typical body temperature is a balance of heat production and heat loss. It’s one part of an overall response from body’s immune system. Fever is usually caused by an infection. For most children and adults, fever may be uncomfortable. But it usually isn’t a cause for concern. Children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years are at increased risk of seizures that occur during fever. Fever is one of the most common medical signs. It is part of about 30% of healthcare visits by children. Fever is often viewed with greater concern by parents and healthcare professionals than is usually deserved, a phenomenon known as fever phobia. The objectives of the study were to assess the level of knowledge and practice regarding febricidal measures among mothers of under-five children and evaluate the effectiveness of nursing strategies. Methods: A quantitative research approach with one group pre-test & post-test research design was used for evaluating the effectiveness of nursing strategies on knowledge and practice of febricidal measures among 30 mothers of under-five children. Reliability of tool was tested. Reliability coefficient ‘r’ value was found to be 0.86, ensured validity in consultation with nursing experts, biostatistician and pediatrician. Validity for knowledge questionnaire is 0.95 and practice checklist is 0.98. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to select mothers of under five children admitted to Shreya Hospital, Bangalore. Pre-test was done using demographic proforma, structured knowledge questionnaire and observational practice checklist, and nursing strategies administered on the same day. After 3 days knowledge questionnaire and observational practice checklist were again assessed. Collected data from mothers were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: In the pre-test, majority of mothers had less scores in knowledge and practice of febricidal measures. In post-test knowledge and practice level of mothers significantly improved. The paired ‘t’ value for knowledge in pre-test is ‘t’= 9.405 (SD ± Mean is 13.97 ± 3.828) and ‘t’ value in post-test is ‘t’= 13.476 (SD ± Mean is 19.47 ± 4.981) was found to be significant at 0.001(p<0.001). The pre-test practice mean score is 6.30 ± 2.628. After administration of nursing strategies mean practice scores were 12.47 ± 2.529. The paired ‘t’ = 13.476 at 0.001 significant level (p<0.001). Hence the null hypotheses rejected and inferred that the nursing strategies were effective in increasing the knowledge and practice scores of mothers. There was statistically significant association of practice with mother’s age. Interpretation and conclusion: The study concludes that mothers had poor knowledge and practice regarding febricidal measures in pre-test, and after the implementation of the nursing strategies majority of subjects gained knowledge and improved their practice level. It proves that nursing strategies were effective in improvement of knowledge and practice among mothers.

Keywords: Knowledge, Practice, Nursing strategies.