A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Planned Teaching Programme on Knowledge regarding Vitamin – A among mother of under Five children in selected Urban area of Mehsana City
Kajalben Chaudhari1, Mittal Kharadi2
1Final Year B.Sc. Nursing Student, Joitiba College of Nursing, Bhandu, Mehsana, Gujrat, India.
2Hemchandracharya North Gujrat University, Patan, Gujrat, India.
*Corresponding Author E-mail: chaudharikajal78028@gmail.com
ABSTRACT:
Introduction: The word “vitamin” means life. Vitamins are substance essential for the maintenance of normal metabolic functions they are required for the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Vitamins are widely used as dietary supplements. “A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Planned Teaching Programme on Knowledge Regarding Vitamin – A Among Mother of Under Five Children in Selected Urban Area of Mehsana City.” Objective: 1) To assess the pretest knowledge score regarding vitamin A. 2) To evaluate the effectiveness PTP regarding vitamin A. 3) To find out the association between knowledge score with selected demographical variable. Hypothesies: H1: there will be significant differences between pre and posttest score of mothers of under five children regarding vitamin A. H2: - there will be significant association between pre knowledge and practices of mothers of under five children regarding vitamin A. Design: Pre-experimental pretest and posttest design. Participants: 50 mothers of urban area were selected using non – probability convenient sampling teaching in of mehsana city. Tool: A self-structure questionnaire which consisted of 20 multiple choice questions was used to assess the level of knowledge among mothers of under five children in selected urban area of mehsana city. Results: In this study overall the highest percentage in the demographic data including the findings from the sec-1 show that (44%) mothers belong the age group 26 – 30 yr. (86%) mothers had Hindu religion. (52%) mothers had 10,000 – 15,000 incomes. (40%) mothers had higher secondary education. (42%) mothers had joint family. (44%) mothers have 2 child. Regarding level of knowledge, during pretest, mothers had adequate level of knowledge regarding vitamin A 0(0%), mothers had moderate level of knowledge 7 (14%) and inadequate of level of knowledge 43(86%). During posttest 18(36%) mothers had adequate level of knowledge regarding vitamin A. 31(62%) mothers had moderate level of knowledge and 1(2%) mothers had inadequate level of knowledge on vitamin A. Conclusion: Majority of the mothers had adequate level of knowledge regarding vitamin A requirement in under five children.
KEYWORDS: Knowledge, Vitamin a. Mothers Among Under Five Children, Urban ARES.
INTRODUCTION:
Background of study:
Vitamin A is essential for normal vision, immune function, and growth in children. Globally, an estimated 190 million preschool-aged children are affected by VAD, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia (World Health Organization [WHO], 2023)1. VAD increases the risk of childhood morbidity, night blindness, and mortality due to infectious diseases such as measles and diarrhea (Sommer & West, 1996). In India, though supplementation programs exist, lack of maternal knowledge remains a barrier to effective implementation (Kapil, 2022)2. In much of the developing world, vitamin A deficiency is a serious public health problem. It was formerly known to blind half a million children each year (hence Sommer's Nutritional Blindness, OUP, 1982), but studies by Sommer and others have now established that it causes other diseases and kills even more young children than it blinds3. The prevalence of Bitot's spot amongst children in 6-71 months of age has been most commonly utilized as an indicator of VAD in a population. However, with disappearance of Bitot's spot, now the subclinical deficiency of VA, as assessed by serum retinol (SR) levels is being advocated and utilized as a marker of VAD. Serum retinol may not be an operationally feasible indicator to be utilized in communities to establish the prevalence of VAD. Estimation of SR requires collection of blood samples of children and sophisticated laboratory equipment4. Micronutrient deficiencies are responsible for significant public health problems in the developing world, causing premature death, disability, and reduced work capacity5. Nutrition is recognized as an important determinant of health and development of societies. It is estimated that each year 55% of deaths among children under five can be either directly or indirectly is due to hunger and malnutrition in developing countries including India. Apart from the protein energy malnutrition, inadequate intake of micronutrients such as Vitamin A and Vital Minerals (Iron, Calcium, Iodine and Zinc) are recognized to affect younger children6. In settings where vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem (prevalence of night blindness is 1% or higher in children 24–59 months of age or where the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (serum retinol 0.70 µmol/l or lower) is 20% or higher in infants and children 6–59 months of age), high-dose vitamin A supplementation is recommended in infants and children 6–59 months of age7. India pioneered the National Vitamin A Prophylaxis Programme aimed at preventing childhood blindness through the administration of high-dose Vitamin A every six months to preschool children. Nutrition education promoting consumption of Vitamin A-rich foods is also integrated within the programme and implemented through Primary Health Centres with support from paramedical workers [9]. The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme further supports periodic supplementation among children8,9. According to UNICEF, Vitamin A supplementation increases child survival by 12–24%. Compared with neighbouring countries, India is heavily stricken both in childhood clinical and subclinical vitamin A deficiency. The National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) survey found that nearly 62 percent of all Indian preschool children lack sufficient vitamin A10.
PROBLEM STATEMENT:
“Effectiveness of A Planned Teaching Programme on Knowledge Regarding Vitamin A Among Mothers of Under-Five Children in An Urban Area of Mehsana City”
OBJECTIVE:
1. To assess the pretest knowledge score regarding vitamin A.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness PTP regarding vitamin A.
3. To find out the association between knowledge score with selected demographical variable
HYPOTHESIES:
H1: There will be significant differences between pre and post-test score of mothers of under five children regarding vitamin A
H2: There will be significant association between pre knowledge and practices of mothers of under five children regarding vitamin A.
METHODOLOGY:
Design: Pre-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design7.
Setting: Urban areas of Mehsana City
Participants: 50 mothers of children under five
Sampling Technique: Non-probability convenience sampling
Tool: Structured questionnaire with 20 MCQs on Vitamin A (validated by experts)
Procedure: Pre-test: Administered to assess baseline knowledge
Intervention: Planned teaching programme with charts and flashcards
Post-test: Conducted after 7 days
Data Analysis: Descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean, SD) and inferential statistics (t-test, chi-square test)8.
RESULT:
Percentage distribution of sample characteristics: Demographic Highlights:
· Majority aged 26–30 (44%)
· Hindu religion (86%)
· Higher secondary education (40%)
· Joint family structure (42%)
|
Sr. No |
Level of knowledge |
Pre-test |
Post-test |
||
|
F |
% |
F |
% |
||
|
1. |
Adequate Above 16 |
0 |
0 |
18 |
36 |
|
2. |
Moderate 11 – 15 |
7 |
14 |
31 |
62 |
|
3. |
Inadequate 0 – 10 |
43 |
86 |
1 |
2 |
This table reveals that during pre-test, mothers had adequate level of knowledge regarding vitamin-A 0 (0%); mother had moderate level of knowledge 7(14%) and inadequate level of knowledge 43(86%). During post-test, 18(36%) mothers had adequate level of knowledge regarding vitamin A, 31(62%) mothers had moderate level of knowledge and 1(2%) mothers had inadequate level of knowledge on vitamin A.
Comparison between the Pre-test and Post-test knowledge score
|
Sr No |
Level of knowledge |
Mean |
Mean Difference |
Standard deviation |
“t” test |
|
1. |
Pre-test |
7.46 |
6.28 |
2.33 |
13.74 |
|
2. |
Post-test |
13.74 |
2.24 |
This Table reveals that during pre-test, the mean score of level of knowledge was 7.46 and the standard deviation was 2.33. During post-test, the mean score of level of knowledge was 13.74 and the standard deviation was 2.24. This indicates that the planned health teaching programme was effective in improving knowledge regarding vitamin-A among mothers of selected urban area mehsana city.
CONCLUSION:
The main conclusion from this present study is that most of the urban area of mothers had inadequate and moderate level of knowledge regarding vitamin A in pretest their level of knowledge regarding vitamin A had improved to a great extent after planned teaching programme which was revealed in post test. This shows the imperative need to understand the utilities of planning regarding vitamin A among mothers of under five children.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST:
I have no conflicts of interest regarding this investigation.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
I would like to thank you all community person for their kind support to conduct my research.
REFERENCES:
1. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/vitamin-a-deficiency - World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Vitamin A deficiency.
2. https://www.unicef.org/reports - UNICEF. (2022). State of the World’s Children 2022.
3. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/vitamin-a-deficiency-9780195088243?cc=in&lang=en& Sommer, A., & West, K. P. Jr. (1996). Vitamin A Deficiency: Health, Survival and Vision. Oxford University Press.
4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3818610/ - Kapil, U. (2002). National program for control of vitamin A deficiency. The Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 69(12), 965–972.
5. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271213290_Impact_of_Educational_Intervention_Measures_on_Knowledge_regarding_vitamin_A_and_D_fortified_Soyabean_oil_among_inhabitants_of_urban_area_of_a_city_of_central_India - Sharma, M., Singh, A., & Gupta, R. (2018). Impact of educational intervention on knowledge regarding vitamin A deficiency among rural mothers. Indian Journal of Community Medicine, 43(3), 207–210.
6. https://www.ijrrjournal.com/IJRR_Vol.8_Issue.9_Sep2021/IJRR032.pdf -
7. Devi, R., and Kaur, S. Effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge of Vitamin A among mothers. Nursing Journal of India. 2017; 108(1): 18–21.
8. https://www.who.int/tools/elena/interventions/vitamina-children
9. Rai RK. Estimated effect of vitamin A supplementation on anaemia and anthropometric failure of Indian children. Pediatric Research. 2022 Apr; 91(5): 1263-71.
10. Kundu S, Rai B, Shukla A. Prevalence and determinants of Vitamin A deficiency among children in India: Findings from a national cross-sectional survey. Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health. 2021; 11: 100768.
11. Samia O Massad., et al. “Knowledge and Awareness of Vitamin A Deficiency among Mothers of Malnourished Children in Gadarif Pediatrics Teaching Hospital, Gadarif State, Eastern Sudan 2020”. EC Nutrition. 2021; 16(4): 23-29
12. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/368257495_THE_RESEARCH_DESIGN
13. https://people.computing.clemson.edu/~goddard/texts/researchMethod/part3.pdf
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Received on 31.07.2025 Revised on 19.12.2025 Accepted on 12.03.2026 Published on 30.07.2026 Available online from August 05, 2026 Int. J. Nursing Education and Research. 2026;14(3):188-190. DOI: 10.52711/2454-2660.2026.00037 ©A and V Publications All right reserved
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