International Journal of Pediatric Nursing
A Descriptive Study to Assess Mothers’ Knowledge on Growth and Development of Under-5 Children in Rajsamand District, Rajasthan
1Professor cum Vice Principal, Dept. of Child health nursing, Malwanchal University, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
2Guide (Supervisior), Dept. of Child health nursing, Malwanchal University, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Abstract
Introduction: Growth and development in early childhood significantly influence lifelong well-being. Maternal knowledge of these processes is crucial for fostering optimal outcomes. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted among 200 mothers with under-5 children at a pediatric OPD in Ananta Hospital, Rajsamand. Data was gathered using a structured questionnaire designed to assess knowledge, and the results were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Results: The study revealed that the majority of mothers (44%) were aged between 26-35 years. In terms of education, 24% of the mothers had primary education, while 18% had completed higher secondary or graduate-level education. A significant proportion (54%) were homemakers, and 30% of the families reported a monthly income ranging from ₹10,001 to ₹20,000. Knowledge levels regarding the subject were categorized as poor (0–8), average (9–17), and good (18–25). The findings indicated that 56% of mothers had average knowledge, 24% demonstrated good knowledge, and 20% had poor knowledge. Conclusions: Mothers displayed moderate knowledge of growth and development in under-5 children. Targeted educational interventions and booklets on child development were developed to address knowledge gaps.
Keywords: Child development, growth monitoring, maternal knowledge, under-5 children, paediatric health.
Keywords
References (1)
- 1. Ramesh N, Cummings AD, Wagner NL, Izurieta RO, Kwa BH. Maternal Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices and Health Outcomes of Their Preschool-Age Children in Urban and Rural Karnataka, India. Natl J Community Med [Internet]. 2016 Aug. 31 [cited 2025 Jan. 13];7(08):646-52. Available from: https://njcmindia.com/index.php/file/article/view/1022 2. Vikram K, Vanneman R. Maternal education and the multidimensionality of child health outcomes in India. J Biosoc Sci. 2020 Jan;52(1):57-77. doi:10.1017/S0021932019000245. Epub 2019 May 21. PMID: 31112112; PMCID: PMC7068132. 3. Phua DY, Kee MZL, Meaney MJ. Positive Maternal Mental Health, Parenting, and Child Development. Biol Psychiatry. 2020 Feb 15;87(4):328-337. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.09.028. Epub 2019 Oct 16. PMID: 31839213. 4. Ali B, Chauhan S. Inequalities in the utilisation of maternal health Care in Rural India: Evidences from National Family Health Survey III & IV. BMC Public Health. 2020 Mar 20;20(1):369. doi:10.1186/s12889-020-08480-4. Erratum in: BMC Public Health. 2021 May 31;21(1):1027. doi:10.1186/s12889-021-10799-5. PMID: 32197599; PMCID: PMC7082939. 5. Coffey D, Khera R, Spears D. Mothers' Social Status and Children's Health: Evidence From Joint Households in Rural India. Demography. 2022 Oct 1;59(5):1981-2002. doi:10.1215/00703370-10217164. PMID: 36111967; PMCID: PMC10355193. 6. World Health Organization (WHO). Improving early childhood development. 5 March 2020 | Guideline. Available online at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/97892400020986 7. UNICEF. (2020). Early childhood development. Available online at: https://www.unicef.org/early-childhood-development#:~:text=In%20the%20first%20few%20years,health%20and%20behaviour%20throughout%20life. 8. UNICEF. KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND CARE. Available online at: https://www.unicef.org/moldova/media/8201/file/Evaluarea%20cunoştinţelor,%20atitudinilor%20şi%20practicilor%20familiilor%20privind%20îngrijirea%20și%20dezvoltarea%20copiilor.pdf. 9. Paul S, Paul S, Gupta AK, James KS. Maternal education, health care system and child health: Evidence from India. Soc Sci Med. 2022 Mar;296:114740. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.114740. Epub 2022 Jan 22. PMID: 35091129. 10. Gavaravarapu SM, Hemalatha R. National Institute of Nutrition: 100 years of empowering the nation through nutrition. Indian J Med Res. 2018 Nov;148(5):477-487. doi:10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_2061_18. PMID: 30666974; PMCID: PMC6366263.