Effect of Intensive Education Intervention on Maternal Knowledge on Infant and Young Child Feeding, Child Care and Hygiene

Background: Food insecurity, unhygienic condition and frequent infection are the main problem among poor families living in slum. Effective communication for behavioral change is necessary for ensuring optimal growth of the children. Objective: Study was planned with the objective to improve the knowledge and behaviour of mothers related to child feeding, care and practices regarding hygiene and sanitation through 2 months intensive educational intervention. Materials and Methods: Study was conducted in the selected slum area of Jaipur city. Mothers of 50 malnourished children were selected for the study. Knowledge was assessed before intervention. Counseling for 60 days on importance of age-appropriate infant and young child feeding, caring practices during sickness of child, hygiene and sanitation was given through lecture, demonstration and group discussion by using teaching aids such as posters, charts, leaflets, pamphlets and models. Counseling was given at Anganwadi centers of selected slum area. Post test data was collected to assess the gain in knowledge of mothers in both the groups after intervention. Results: Results showed that after counseling the knowledge of mothers increased significantly (P<0.000). Results pointed out the fact that after educational intervention, knowledge on all the aspects improved significantly. Conclusion: Nutritional counseling has significant effect on knowledge especially in food insecure populations and it should be recommended for the prevention of malnutrition in infants and young children.