"AN EVALUATIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECT OF AN ADVOCACY PACKAGE ON KNOWLEDGE REGARD-ING RESPECTFUL MATERNAL CARE AMONG NURSES IN A PEOPLE'S HOSPITAL, BHOPAL, (M.P)"

“Respectful maternal care is not an option, it is a fundamental right of every women” BACKGROUND Respectful Maternal Care (RMC) ensures dignity, privacy, informed consent, and freedom from abuse during childbirth. Nurses play a critical role in promoting respectful maternity services. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an advocacy package on nurses’ knowledge regarding RMC. Respectful Maternal Care (RMC) is recognized globally as a fundamental right of childbearing women. Despite improvements in institutional deliveries, disrespect and abuse during childbirth remain concerns. Nurses, being primary maternity care providers, play a crucial role in ensuring dignified and respectful care. Educational advocacy interventions may enhance nurses’ knowledge and promote respectful maternity practices. OBJECTIVES To assess the pre-test knowledge scores regarding respectful maternal care among nurses. To assess the post-test knowledge scores regarding respectful maternal care among nurses. To evaluate the effect of an advocacy package by comparing mean pre-test and mean post-test knowledge scores. To find out the association between pre-test knowledge scores and selected demographic variables. METHODOLOGY A quantitative research approach with a pre-experimental one-group pre-test post-test research design was adopted. The study was conducted among 100 nurses working in a People’s Hospital Bhopal (M.P.).Non-probability convenience sampling technique was used. A structured knowledge questionnaire(25 items) was used.Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS The mean pre-test score was 13.2 (SD = 3.1) and the mean post-test score was 22.4 (SD = 2.3). The calculated paired t-value was 24.86 (p < 0.05), indicating a statistically significant improvement. No significant association was found between pre-test knowledge and with their selected demographic variables. CONCLUSION The advocacy package was found to be effective in improving knowledge regarding respectful maternal care among nurses.