Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Program on Knowledge regarding Torch Infections during Pregnancy among Antenatal Mothers at Telungupalayam Village Coimbatore District

 

Vethadhas.1*, Precilla.2

1Assistant Professor, Department of Mental Health Nursing, Cherraan’s College of Nursing, Coimbatore, India.

2M.Sc. Nursing, Department of OBG Nursing, Cherraan’s College of Nursing, Coimbatore, India.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: vethadhasvin@gmail.com

 

ABSTRACT:

Introduction: TORCH Syndrome refers to infection of a developing fetus or newborn by any of a group of infectious agents ‘’TORCH’’ is toxoplasmosis, other agents’ rubella also known as German Measles, cytomegalovirus, and herpes Simplex During pregnancy the mother can transmit the infection to the fetus through the placenta, the organ that provides oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the developing fetus. Aim: Effectiveness of structured teaching program on knowledge regarding TORCH infections during pregnancy among antenatal mothers at Telungupalayam village, Coimbatore district. Methods and Tools: A quantitative research approach was used in this study. The design was quasi experimental one group pre-test and post-test research design. Structured questionnaire was used to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching program on knowledge regarding TORCH infections during pregnancy among antenatal mothers residing in Telungupalayam village, Coimbatore. Results: The findings showed that the pre-test mean score of knowledge among antenatal mothers was 13.0 with S.D 6.19 and the post-test mean score of knowledge was 39.7 with S.D 5.1. The calculated paired ‘t’ value of t = 19.04 was found to be statistically significant at p<0.05 level. This clearly indicates that after the administration of structured teaching program the post-test level of knowledge was considerably increased among antenatal mothers and this clearly indicates that the structured teaching program was found to be effective in improving the knowledge among antenatal mothers. Hence the stated hypothesis (H1) was accepted. Discussion: The finding of the study that the structured teaching program was very effective in improving the level of knowledge. This study will help the health care professionals to develop appropriate teaching materials. Structured teaching program is a proven method to improve the knowledge of the antenatal mothers between the age group of 18-35 years which will help them to facilitate the healthy practices in day-to-day activities.

 

KEYWORDS: Structured Teaching Program, TORCH, Antenatal Mother.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Pregnancy is a period of great anabolic activity, when the most rapid of growth takes place. It is a condition in which the fetal growth is accompanied by extended changes in the maternal body composition and metabolism. Reproduction through consideration to be a usual process in the life of a women, is stressful and can lead to the threats in reproductive age group women unless, appropriate measures are taken in time, it may reach its peak and endanger the life of mother. TORCH Syndrome refers to infection of a developing fetus or newborn by any of a group of infectious agents ‘’TORCH’’ is toxoplasmosis, other agents’ rubella also known as German Measles, cytomegalovirus, and herpes Simplex During pregnancy the mother can transmit the infection to the fetus through the placenta, the organ that provides oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the developing fetus. The mother initially becomes infected through a variety of different means that depend on the specific type of infection. It can share some non-specific signs and symptoms. Early signs in the fetus or newborn may include fever, development of microcephaly, low birth weight, lethargy or sleeplessness, cataract, hearing loss and congenital heart disease and congenital heart disease.

 

NEED FOR THE STUDY:

Global Statistics (2018) reported that the prevalence of TORCH infections cytomegalovirus (CMV) is ranging from 45% in developed countries to 100% in developing countries, whereas in India, recorded 80%–90% CMV IgG antibodies in women of child-bearing age. Where anti-IgG antibodies were observed in 88.8% pregnant women. IgG antibodies against CMV infection are in parallel with the reported 85.93% and 96.4% seropositivity from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and Turkey, respectively. High seropositivity in the current study may be due to primary infection or reinfection of variant strain in this population. Hence, conducting prenatal CMV detection may help obstetrician regarding the status of infection and possible outcome of pregnancy. Thus, proper counselling and treatment of infected children may be considered timely to overcome the complications. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommended prenatal counselling for pregnant women about hand washing, reducing exposure to body fluids of young children in preventive aspect.

 

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

Effectiveness of structured teaching program on knowledge regarding TORCH infections during pregnancy among antenatal mothers at Telungupalayam village, Coimbatore district.

 

OBJECTIVES:

Assess the pre-test level of knowledge regarding TORCH infections during pregnancy among antenatal mothers.

 

Provide structured teaching program on knowledge regarding TORCH infections during pregnancy among antenatal mothers.

 

Find the post-test level of knowledge regarding TORCH infections during pregnancy among antenatal mothers.

Determine the effectiveness of structured teaching program on knowledge regarding TORCH infections during pregnancy among antenatal mothers.

 

Associate the pre-test level of knowledge regarding TORCH infections during pregnancy among antenatal mothers with their selected demographic variables and obstetrical variables.

 

HYPOTHESIS:

H1:   There is a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test level of knowledge regarding TORCH infections during pregnancy among antenatal mothers.

H2:   There is a significant association between the pre-test level of knowledge regarding TORCH infections among antenatal mothers with their selected demographic variables and obstetrical variables. It will be tested at >0.05 level of significant.

 

METHODOLOGY:

Research methodology involves the system procedure by which the researcher starts from the identification for the problem to its final conclusion. It involves steps procedure and strategies for gathering and analyzing data in a research investigation. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of structured teaching program on knowledge regarding TORCH infection during pregnancy among antenatal mothers in Telungupalayam villages at Coimbatore.

 

Research Approach:

The research approach used in this study was Quantitative research approach.

 

Research Design:

The researcher design for this study was quasi-experimental one group pretest and post-test research design.

 

Setting of the Study:

The study was conducted in Telungupalayam village at Coimbatore district. It is situated 2 kms away from cherraan’s college of nursing. The total population in Telungupalayam was 304558. Among them there were 10678 families residing and there were 75 antenatal mothers in that the researcher chosen the 60 antenatal mothers.

 

Population:

The population for the present study was antenatal mothers. Population refers to all antenatal mothers including both primi gravida mothers and multi gravida mothers.

 

Sample:

Antenatal mothers who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were the samples of the study.

 

Sample size:

The samples size for the study comprised of 60 antenatal mothers between 18-35 years residing in Telungupalayam village at Coimbatore district.

 

Sampling Technique:

In this study, the sample technique was chosen the non-probability convenience sampling technique.

 

Criteria for Sample Selection:

Sample criteria involve the cases that meet some predetermined criterion importance. The criteria for sample selection are mainly depicted under two headings, which comprises the inclusion and exclusion criteria.

 

Data Collection Procedure:

The study was conducted in Telungupalayam village at Coimbatore after permission was obtained from the village administrative officer. Researcher utilized the convenience sampling technique to select the 60 antenatal mothers. Reseacher personally visited each antenatal mother and introduced herself and explained the purpose of the study and ascertained the willingness of the participants, the respondents were assured anonymity and confidentiality of the information provided by them. Pre-test was conducted for the antenatal mother by administering structured questionnaire to assess the knowledge on TORCH infections among the antenatal between the age group 18-35years.The data were collected from 10 mothers per day for the period of one week. Each antenatal mothers took 10 minutes to fill the structured questionnaire. After the pre- test on the same day, the researcher displayed Flash cards about TORCH infections during pregnancy and explain about the definition, symptoms, treatment and its preventions. After the teaching antenatal mothers encouraged to ask doubts and the doubts were clarified by the researcher. Evaluation of structured teaching program was conducted by post-test after 7 days of implementation of intervention. The post test was taken from the same sample on one-to-one basis by using the same structured questionnaire.

 

Plan for Data Analysis:

Data analysis was done on the basis of objectives and hypothesis stated in the study using descriptive and inferential statistics.

 

RESULTS:

Table 1: Comparison of pre-test and post-test level of knowledge scores regarding TORCH infections among antenatal mothers between the age group of 18-35 years.                                        n=60

Level of knowledge regarding TORCH infections

Mean

S.D

Mean difference

Paired “t” test

Calculated ‘t’ value

Table ‘t’ value

Pre test

13.0

6.19

26.7

19.04

2.00

Post test

39.7

5.1

 

This table 4.3 shows that the pre-test mean score of knowledge among antenatal mothers was 13.0 with S.D 6.19 and the post-test mean score of knowledge was 39.7 with S.D 5.1.  The calculated paired ‘t’ value of t = 19.04 was found to be statistically significant at p<0.05 level. This clearly indicates that after the administration of structured teaching program the post-test level of knowledge was considerably increased among antenatal mothers and this clearly indicates that the structured teaching program was found to be effective in improving the knowledge among antenatal mothers.

 

DISCUSSION:

The findings showed that the pre-test mean score of knowledge among antenatal mothers was 13.0 with S.D 6.19 and the post-test mean score of knowledge was 39.7 with S.D 5.1.  The calculated paired ‘t’ value of t = 19.04 was found to be statistically significant at p<0.05 level. This clearly indicates that after the administration of structured teaching program the post-test level of knowledge was considerably increased among antenatal mothers and this clearly indicates that the structured teaching program was found to be effective in improving the knowledge among antenatal mothers. Hence the stated hypothesis (H1) was accepted.

 

CONCLUSION:

The study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching program on knowledge regarding TORCH infections during pregnancy among antenatal mothers at Telungupalayam village, Coimbatore district. The finding of the study that the structured teaching program was very effective in improving the level of knowledge. This study will help the health care professionals to develop appropriate teaching materials. Structured teaching program is a proven method to improve the knowledge of the antenatal mothers between the age group of 18-35 years which will help them to facilitate the healthy practices in day-to-day activities.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Experimental study can be done to assess the effectiveness of antiviral therapy with other non-pharmacological interventions for TORCH infections. A similar study can be undertaken for a large sample using different settings.

 

REFERENCE:

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3.      Diane M. Frases, Margaret A. Cooper (2009) “Myles Text Book for Midwives” 15th edition and Elsevier publication. Pp.274, 921-922.

4.      Eleanor D. Thompson (1990) “Maternity and Paediatric Nursing” W.B. Saunders company. Pp.88-92, 245, 861.

5.      Jane Ball and Rath Bindler (2009), “Paediatric Nursing Caring for Children” 4th edition,           person education publication. Pp: 616.

6.      Park K (2009) “Park’s Text Book of Preventive And Social Medicine” 20th edition, M/S Banarsidas phanot publishers. Pp.138-144.

7.      Lewis and Leit Dirksen (2007), “Medical Surgical Nursing” 7th edition, Mosby Elsevier, Pp.250, 267, 437.

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Received on 25.11.2025         Revised on 29.12.2025

Accepted on 27.01.2026         Published on 30.07.2026

Available online from August 05, 2026

Int. J. Nursing Education and Research. 2026;14(3):249-252.

DOI: 10.52711/2454-2660.2026.00050

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