A Comparative Study to assess the
Knowledge of Mothers of Under-Five Children Regarding Importance of Play in
Growth and Development in Selected Rural and Urban Areas, Bangalore
Mr. Prasannakumar D.R.
Assistant Professor, JSS College of
Nursing, Mysore
*Corresponding
Author Email: prasanna.spb2@gmail.com
ABSTRACT:
Play is a universal language of children.
It is one of the most important forms of communication and can be an effective
technique in relating to them. Parents are child’s first and best play mates.
The most creative children are those who have had parents involved in their
play. This study was conducted to assess and compare the knowledge of mothers
of under-five children regarding importance of play in growth and development.
Objectives: 1.To assess the knowledge of
rural and urban mothers regarding the importance of play in growth and
development of their children. 2.To compare the knowledge of rural and urban
mothers of under-five children regarding importance of play in growth and
development.3.To find out the association between the knowledge of rural and
urban mothers regarding the importance of growth and development of their
children with selected demographic variables.
Methods: A comparative survey design was adopted for
the study. Samples were selected using non probability convenient sampling
technique; samples consist of 80 mothers of under-five children, out of which
40 from rural and 40 from urban areas of from Bommasandra and Masthenahalli
rural areas under Chandapura primary health centre and Hongasandra and Begur
urban areas under Begur primary health centre, Bangalore. Data from the study
participants was collected by structured knowledge questionnaire on importance
of play in growth and development. Data collected was analyzed using
descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: Findings of the study revealed that
majority 55% of the rural mothers and 30% of the urban mothers had moderate
knowledge while 62.5% of urban mothers and 30% of the rural mothers had
adequate knowledge regarding the importance of play in growth and development
of under-five children. The total difference in the mean of overall knowledge
score was 3.32 with the ‘t’ value of 3.341 and found to be significant at the
level of p<0.01. Hence it indicated that there was a significant difference
in the knowledge level of rural and urban mothers. Study also reveals that
there was a statistically significant association between the knowledge score
of the rural and urban mothers with demographic variables such as age,
education, occupation, family income, number of children and religion at the
probability level of p<0.05 and P<0.01.
Conclusion: From the study findings, it is understood
that the The samples had moderate knowledge regarding the importance of play in
growth and development of children. The knowledge level of the mother’s
increases with the age, educational status, family income and number of
children they have. Hence the study emphasizes more responsibility on health
care professionals, especially nurses in empowering the mothers of under-five
children regarding the importance of play in growth and development.
KEY WORDS: mothers, under-five children;
play; growth and development; rural and urban areas.
INTRODUCTION:
Play is a very emotive word which means
different things to different people, and has been defined in many ways. Play
was defined by the emerging professionals as behavior which is freely chosen,
personally directed and intrinsically motivated activity. Children understand
each other and make sense of the world around them through the play activities.
Children's play may or may not involve equipment or have an end product.
Children play on their own and/or with other children. Their play may be
boisterous and energetic or quiet and contemplative, light-hearted or very
serious 1.
Play has an important role in the
development of essential skills in a child. Engaging in play activities helps
to nurture social and language skills. When a child engages in play activities
at home, it helps to refine his listening and reasoning skills. There are many
multi-sensory play activities that teach a child to understand and learn
through touch, sight and sound. Outdoor games help to nurture and co-ordinate
the physical and sensory-motor development of a child. Play helps children to
polish arithmetic skills and to grasp the concepts of math at an early stage
through play. Play not only helps the children to learn new skills, but also
develop self-esteem. Play also develops a healthy and long-lasting relationship
between a child and his parents and helps the parents to gain an insight into
the thought process of their child 3.
NEED FOR THE STUDY:
The Indian Academy Pediatrics (IPA) 17th
world conference during 2008 discussed regarding alarming trends affecting
childhood and play. IPA is deeply concerned by a number of alarming trends and
their negative impact on children's development such as society’s indifference
to the importance of play, overemphasis on theoretical and academic studies in
schools, increasing numbers of children living with inadequate provisions for
survival and development. Hence following proposals are listed such as play is
essential for the physical and mental development of child, play is a part of
education, play is an essential part of family and community life, child needs
opportunities to play at leisure, the needs of the child must have priority in
the planning of human settlements 15.
A study conducted to examine differences in
physical activity levels between urban and rural primary school children.
Parents of children in rural schools reported more space available in the
garden and safer neighborhoods than parents of children in urban schools,
whereas children in urban schools had more exercise equipment available at home
and were transported more frequently to places where they could be physically
active. Results of this study suggest that intervention programs to promote
physical activity need to consider seasonal and geographical location
differences in physical activity levels 17.
OBJECTIVES:
1.
To assess
the knowledge of rural and urban mothers regarding the importance of play in
growth and development of their children.
2.
To compare
the knowledge of rural and urban mothers of under-five children regarding
importance of play in growth and development.
3.
To find out
the association between the knowledge of rural and urban mothers regarding the
importance of growth and development of their children with selected
demographic variables.
HYPOTHESIS:
H1- There will be a significant difference between the
knowledge of rural and urban mothers of under-five children regarding
importance of play in growth and development.
H2- There will be a significant association between the
knowledge of rural and urban mothers regarding importance of play in growth and
development of children and selected demographic variables.
METHODOLOGY:
Research Design: The research design selected
for study was comparative survey design.
Sampling technique: Convenience sampling technique
Sample: sample size was 80 Mothers of under-five
children out of which 40 from rural and 40 from urban areas.
VARIABLES
Study variable: Knowledge regarding importance of play in
growth and development among mothers of under-five children.
Demographic variables: age, education, occupation, family income,
no of children, type of the family, religion, and source of information
regarding importance of play in growth and development.
SETTING
The present study was conducted in
Bommasandra and Masthenahalli rural areas under Chandapura primary health
centre and Hongasandra and Begur urban areas under Begur primary health centre,
Bangalore
DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUE.
Section A- It deals with socio demographic
characteristics which include age, education, occupation, family income, no of
children, type of the family, religion, and source of information regarding the
importance of play in growth and development.
Section B- Structured knowledge questionnaire was
prepared to assess knowledge on importance of play in growth and development
among mothers of under-five children.
TABLE 1: Frequency and percentage
distribution of selected personal variables of mothers of under five children.
n = 80 (R = 40, U = 40)
|
Variables
|
Rural
Mothers
|
Urban
Mothers
|
Total
|
|
Frequency
|
(%)
|
Frequency
|
(%)
|
Frequency
|
(%)
|
|
1.
Mothers
age
a.
less than
20 years
b.
21-30
years
c.
31-40
years
|
7
29
4
|
17.5
72.5
10.0
|
4
34
2
|
10.0
85.0
5.0
|
11
63
6
|
13.75
78.75
7.5
|
|
2.
Educational
status
a.
Illiterate
b.
Primary
education
c.
Secondary
education
d.
Degree
and above
|
5
14
18
3
|
12.5
35.0
45.0
7.5
|
3
9
20
8
|
7.5
22.5
50.0
20.0
|
8
23
38
11
|
10
28.75
47.5
13.75
|
|
3.
Occupation
a.
Government
employee
b.
Semi Govt
employee
c.
Private
employee
d.
Coolie
e.
House
wife
|
0
2
2
10
26
|
0
5.0
5.0
25.0
65.0
|
3
6
6
2
23
|
7.5
15.0
15.0
5.0
57.5
|
3
8
8
12
49
|
3.75
10
10
15
61.25
|
|
4.
Family
income
a.
less than
Rs. 5000
b.
5001-10000
c.
10001-15000
d.
15001
and above
|
10
23
5
2
|
25.0
57.5
12.5
5.0
|
1
6
28
5
|
2.5
15.0
70.0
12.5
|
11
29
33
7
|
13.75
36.25
41.25
8.75
|
|
5.
Family
type
a.
Nuclear
b.
Joint
|
27
13
|
67.5
32.5
|
35
5
|
87.5
12.5
|
62
18
|
77.5
22.5
|
|
6.
Number
of children
a.
One
b.
Two
c.
Three
|
16
23
1
|
40.0
57.5
2.5
|
11
27
2
|
27.5
67.5
5.0
|
27
50
3
|
33.75
62.5
3.75
|
|
7.
Religion
a.
Hindu
b.
Muslim
c.
Christian
|
32
5
3
|
80.0
12.5
7.5
|
31
7
2
|
77.5
17.5
5.0
|
63
12
5
|
78.75
15
6.25
|
|
8.
Source
of information
a.
Mass media
b.
News paper/Magazine
c.
Health
personnel
d.
Others
|
27
5
6
2
|
67.5
12.5
15.0
5.0
|
15
15
7
3
|
37.5
37.5
17.5
7.5
|
42
20
13
5
|
52.5
25
16.25
6.25
|
Section 2: Knowledge of mothers of under
five children regarding importance of play in growth and development.
Table 2: Knowledge level of mothers of
under five children regarding importance of play in growth and development.
n = 80 (R = 40, U = 40)
|
Knowledge
|
Rural
Mothers
|
Urban
Mothers
|
Total
|
|
Frequency
|
%
|
Frequency
|
%
|
Frequency
|
%
|
|
Inadequate
(Less than 50%)
|
6
|
15
|
3
|
7.5
|
9
|
11.25
|
|
Moderate
(51-75%)
|
22
|
55
|
12
|
30
|
34
|
42.5
|
|
Adequate
(76-100%)
|
12
|
30
|
25
|
62.5
|
37
|
46.25
|
|
Total
|
40
|
100
|
40
|
100
|
80
|
100
|
Table 3: Mean, mean %, median and standard
deviation of Knowledge of rural mothers of under-five children regarding
importance of play in growth and development
n = 40
|
Knowledge
aspects
|
Number
of
Items
|
Maximum
Score
obtained
|
Mean
|
Mean
%
|
Median
|
SD
|
|
General
aspect of play
|
11
|
11
|
7.50
|
68.18
|
8
|
1.812
|
|
Importance
e of play in growth and development
|
12
|
12
|
8.08
|
67.33
|
8
|
1.927
|
|
Role
of play during illness
|
5
|
5
|
3.30
|
66
|
3
|
1.043
|
|
Age
appropriate toys
|
5
|
5
|
3.25
|
65
|
3
|
1.296
|
|
Safety
and prevention of hazards
|
7
|
7
|
4.67
|
66.71
|
5
|
1.526
|
|
Overall
|
40
|
40
|
26.80
|
67
|
27
|
4.681
|
Table 4: Mean, mean %, median and standard
deviation of Knowledge of urban mothers of under five children regarding
importance of play in growth and development.
|
Knowledge
aspects
|
Number
of
Items
|
Maximum
Score
obtained
|
Mean
|
Median
|
Mean
%
|
Std.
Deviation
|
|
General
aspect of play
|
11
|
11
|
8.75
|
9
|
79.54
|
1.581
|
|
Importance
e of play in growth and development
|
12
|
12
|
8.45
|
9
|
70.41
|
1.907
|
|
Role
of play during illness
|
5
|
5
|
3.70
|
4
|
74
|
0.883
|
|
Age
appropriate toys
|
5
|
5
|
3.53
|
4
|
70.6
|
1.037
|
|
Safety
and prevention of hazards
|
7
|
7
|
5.70
|
6
|
81.4
|
1.305
|
|
Overall
|
40
|
40
|
30.12
|
31
|
75.3
|
4.473
|
Section 3: comparison of the knowledge level of rural
and urban mothers of under-five children
Table 5: Overall and area-wise comparison
of knowledge scores of rural and urban mothers
|
Sl
No
|
Knowledge
aspects
|
No.
of items
|
Rural
mothers
|
Urban
mothers
|
Mean
difference
|
t
value
|
Inference
|
|
Mean
|
Mean
%
|
SD
|
Mean
|
Mean
%
|
SD
|
|
1
|
General
aspect of play
|
11
|
7.50
|
68.18
|
1.812
|
8.75
|
79.54
|
1.581
|
1.25
|
3.461
|
S
|
|
2
|
Importance
of play in growth and development
|
12
|
8.08
|
67.33
|
1.927
|
8.45
|
70.41
|
1.907
|
0.38
|
0.799
|
NS
|
|
3
|
Role
of play during illness
|
5
|
3.30
|
66
|
1.043
|
3.70
|
74
|
0.883
|
0.40
|
1.749
|
NS
|
|
4
|
Age
appropriate toys
|
5
|
3.25
|
65
|
1.296
|
3.53
|
70.6
|
1.037
|
0.28
|
1.065
|
NS
|
|
5
|
Safety
and prevention of hazards
|
7
|
4.67
|
66.71
|
1.526
|
5.70
|
81.4
|
1.305
|
1.03
|
3.878
|
S
|
|
Overall
knowledge
|
40
|
26.80
|
67
|
4.681
|
30.12
|
75.3
|
4.473
|
3.32
|
3.341
|
S
|
Section 4: Association between level of
knowledge regarding importance of play in growth and development with their
selected personal variables
The selected personal variables such as
age, education, occupation, family income and religion of rural mothers and the
age, education, family income and the total number of children of urban mothers
were having significant association with the knowledge scores regarding
importance of play in growth and development at 0.05 level.
CONCLUSION:
·
The findings
of the study revealed that the mothers of under-five children had moderate
knowledge regarding the importance of play in growth and development. Data
shows that majority 55% of the rural mothers and 30% of the urban mothers had
moderate knowledge while 62.5% of urban mothers and 30% of the rural mothers
had adequate knowledge regarding the importance of play in growth and
development of under-five children. It also revealed that the mean knowledge
scores of rural mothers were found to be 26.80 (67%) with standard deviation
4.681 and mean knowledge scores of urban mothers were found to be 30.12 (75.3%)
with standard deviation 4.473.
·
The above
findings of the study stress the need for conducting health awareness
programmes for mothers of under-five children regarding importance of play in
growth and development of their children.
·
The findings
of the study also revealed that the knowledge of mothers of under five children
regarding importance of play in growth and development had significant
association with their selected personal variables viz. age, education,
occupation, religion and family income.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The following recommendations were made
based on the results of the study.
A similar study can be replicated on large
sample to generalize the findings.
This study can be extended for
children of different age groups.
An experimental study can be conducted with
structured teaching program on knowledge.
Study can be conducted to find
out the practice of parents towards the play activities of children.
A study can be conducted in
hospital settings.
A comparative study can be
conducted to assess the knowledge and attitude among mother and father.
REFERENCE:
1. Olivia, Lia. What is play. X
play Scotland. Available from: http://www.playscotland.org/what-is-play/
2. Belfast City Council Play
Policy. National Play and Recreation Policy. 2002. Available from:
http://www.ncac.ie
3. Maya Pillai. Importance of Play
in Early Childhood.
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/importance-of-play-in-early-childhood.html
4. IPA The American Association for
the Child’s Right to Play. IPA Declaration of a child. 2007 May 5. Available
from: http://www.ipausa.org/declare.htm
5. Loucaides CA, Chedzoy SM,
Bennett N. Differences in physical activity levels between urban and rural
primary school children. Oxford Journals. April 2004; 19(2): 138-47.