EFFECTIVENESS OF AN INFORMATION BOOKLET ON KNOWLEDGE REGARDING THE IMPORTANCE OF BIRTH SPACING

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of an information booklet on knowledge regarding the importance of birth spacing among primi para mothers from 01.08.2011 to 31.10.2011. An evaluative approach with one group pre test post test design was used for the study. 60 samples were selected using purposive sampling method. The present study was conducted in Justice K.S Hegde Charitable Hospital, Mangalore. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Distribution of primipara mothers according to their level of knowledge showed that 49 (81.7%) had poor knowledge score [score range 0-12], 11(18.3%) had average knowledge [score range 13-25] and none of them had good knowledge [score range 26-37]. The Mean knowledge score in the pre-test was 7.96 which had increased after administration of the information booklet, with mean knowledge score in the post-test by 31.15. A significant difference between pre-test and post-test knowledge was found (t=28.945, P < 0.05) among the primi para mothers by providing an information booklet. There was significant association between the level of knowledge and demographic variables such as educational status, income and previous knowledge.