Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: May | Volume: 7 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 11-16
A Study of Awareness and Utilization of Growth Charts among Mothers of Children Aged 9 to 24 Months Attending the Immunization OPD of A Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Aurangabad
Dr. Bhavna Pramod Joshi1, Dr. Swati Manikrao Mahajan2, Dr. Deepak Narayan Tayade3, Dr. Rajesh Keshavrao Dase4
1Post Graduate Student, 2Associate Professor and Head of Department, 3Assistant Professor,
4Associate Professor and Statistician,
Department of Community Medicine, MGM Medical College and Hospital, Aurangabad,
Corresponding Author: Dr. Bhavna Pramod Joshi
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The WHO has recommended use of growth chart (GC) for close monitoring of children’s growth. However, the availability of this tool does not automatically translate to its use. Knowledge of its meaning, usefulness and acceptance by the mothers who are directly in charge of childcare is necessary.
Aim: To find out the extent of utilization of growth charts among mothers of children aged 9 to 24 months attending the immunization out patient department (OPD) of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Aurangabad.
Material and Methods: The study was carried out in the immunization OPD, which comes under the Department of Community Medicine, MGM Medical College and Hospital, Aurangabad. It was a cross sectional, descriptive study. The study population included all mothers of children aged between 9 to 24 months who attended the immunization OPD. Face to face interview was conducted with help of a structured questionnaire.
Results and Conclusion: Awareness was found to be low i.e. 21.11% among the respondents. Health personnel were involved in explaining growth charts to only 13% of the respondents. Only 15.60% of the respondents knew the correct use of growth charts. The utilization of growth charts was found to be only 01.84%. Association was found to be highly significant between awareness about growth charts and education, socioeconomic status and occupation of mothers, as also, knowledge about growth charts and education of mothers.
Key words: Awareness, Children, Growth charts, Immunisation