ENHANCING KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE ON RICKETS PREVENTION AMONG MOTHERS OF CHILDREN AGED 0-5 MONTHS IN NAM DINH CITY

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of health education intervention in improving knowledge and practice on rickets prevention among mothers of children aged 0-5 months in Nam Dinh City. Method: One-group educational program with pre- and post-intervention comparison for 85 mothers of children aged 0-5 months to be vaccinated at Tran Te Xuong Ward, Ha Long Ward, My Xa Ward, City Nam Dinh from December 2019 to March 2020. Face to face consultation sessions were conducted for small groups of 1-3 mothers. The researcher developed the program based on the textbook for child health care of the Institute of Nutrition, Child Health Care, Nam Dinh University of Nursing. Results: Immediately after the intervention, 100% of mothers had better knowledge for all subscales of rickets prevention as well as sunbathing practice for their children. This result was well maintained after 2 months of the intervention. Maternal knowledge scores before health education ranged from 9-36 points, increased to 12-41 after the intervention and 22-41 after 2 months of intervention. The mother’s sunbathing practice score was 0-6 points before the intervention, increased to 2-6 points after the intervention. Conclusion: Maternal knowledge and practice of sunbathing of rickets prevention for children in the community has been significantly improved after health education intervention and well maintained after 2 months of the intervention.