Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Rahul R. Bogam ¹, Sonali K. Barge ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Community Medicine Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Medical College, Pune, IN
2 College of Nursing Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune, Maharashtra, IN

Abstract

As a global public health recommendation, infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. The role of antenatal mothers in this aspect is of paramount importance, as their sensitization about adopting breastfeeding practices prior to child birth is crucial. The present study attempted to assess the perceptions and knowledge about breast feeding amongst mothers attending antenatal clinic in rural area of Maharashtra. A cross sectional study was conducted at one of the randomly selected tertiary health care hospitals in Pune District. A pretested questionnaire was distributed to 350 antenatal mothers and responses were collected. The data was entered in Microsoft office excel sheet and analyzed. Majority (58%) of mothers were in the age group of 18-23 years followed by 24-29 years of age group and 30-35 years of age group. In present study, 151 (43.14%) mothers were educated up to secondary level and percentage of illiterate mothers was less i.e. 3.14%. The study revealed inadequacies in the knowledge of breast feeding amongst antenatal mothers about certain aspects like exclusive breast feeding, breast feeding during diarrhoea etc. However, good knowledge was observed about some aspects like colostrum,weaning and breast care etc.

Keywords

Knowledge, Prceptions, Breastfeeding Practices, Antenatal Mother

Full Text

     

Rahul R. Bogam ¹, Sunil M. Sagare ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Community Medicine, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Medical College, Pune, IN

Abstract

Adolescents form substantial risk group due to situations arising out of their curiosity, haphazard knowledge and risk prone behaviour. Concerns about risk of infection with HIV have renewed interest in sexual behaviour of adolescents in developing countries, where they represent a large proportion of population and are at a risk. Primary prevention including sex education is the key factor for eliminating HIV epidemics amongst adolescents. The present study attempted to assess pre and post intervention knowledge and perceptions of high school students pertaining to HIV/AIDS. All 169 school students from rural area participated in quiz competition followed by interactive session and completed ^intervention and post intervention questionnaire. Each completed questionnaire was assigned marking system. The data was analysed using'Paired t test'. Significant improvement in knowledge was found after quiz followed by interactive session. (Pre test mean marks: 8.50, post test mean marks: 15.95, t=32.83, p<.001). Present study showed significant improvement in student's knowledge regarding all aspects of HIV/AIDS from pretest to post-test as a result of quiz competition followed by interactive session.

Keywords

HIV/AIDS, High School Children, Knowledge, Perceptions, Pre and Post Intervention.

Full Text