Knowledge Regarding Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) Among Mothers Of Under Five Children With A View To Develop A Handbook.

Abstract

Malnutrition is a major public health problem all over the developing world and is an underlying factor in over 50% of the 10-11 million children under 5 years of age who die each year of preventable causes. Severe acute malnutrition is an extremely common disorder, associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity requiring specialized treatment and prevention intervention.
Aim: Assess the level of knowledge regarding severe acute malnutrition (SAM) among mothers of under five children in selected rural area of Raigad district.

Methodology: This Non- experimental descriptive research design involved 300 mothers of under five children using a self structured questionnaire to assess knowledge regarding severe acute malnutrition among mothers of under five children.
Result: A total of 300 mothers of under five children participated in the study, out of the total participants 56.7% have poor knowledge regarding severe acute malnutrition, poor knowledge score associated with education, occupation, type of family, monthly income, number of children, previous knowledge and source of information at P- value<0.05 significance level, and there is an association with demographic variables.
Conclusion: On the basis of the findings of the present study it is concluded that majority of the mothers of under five children in rural area having poor knowledge regarding severe acute malnutrition and for controlling and reducing childhood malnutrition, more emphasis should be given to women’s knowledge and practice of parents on suitable infant and young child nutrition and caring practice.