A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Video Assisted Teaching Programme on Prevention of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections among Mothers of Under Five Age Group Children at Selected Rural Areas in Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) are major public health problems and remain one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children under five years of age. ARI may affect either the upper respiratory tract, causing conditions such as common cold, pharyngitis, sinusitis and laryngitis, or the lower respiratory tract, causing bronchitis, bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Under-five children are highly vulnerable due to immature immunity, frequent exposure to infectious agents and environmental risk factors. Malnutrition, overcrowding, passive smoking, indoor and outdoor air pollution, poor sanitation, lack of exclusive breastfeeding and inadequate maternal awareness further increase the risk. The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of video-assisted teaching on prevention of acute respiratory tract infections among mothers of under-five children.

Methodology: A quantitative research approach with one-group pre-test and post-test quasi-experimental design was adopted. The study was conducted in selected rural areas of Visakhapatnam District, Andhra Pradesh. A total of 100 mothers and primary caregivers of under-five children were selected by convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured knowledge questionnaire. After the pre-test, a pre-recorded video-assisted teaching programme on ARI prevention was administered, covering causes, risk factors, preventive measures, early identification of symptoms and home-based care. The post-test was conducted seven days after the intervention.

Results: The study findings showed a significant improvement in knowledge after the intervention. The mean pre-test knowledge score was 13.98, which increased to 22.45 in the post-test. The calculated paired t-value was 22.77, which was greater than the table value of 1.98 at p<0.05, indicating a statistically significant difference. No significant association was found between post-test knowledge scores and selected demographic variables.

Conclusion: The study concluded that video-assisted teaching was effective in improving mothers’ knowledge regarding prevention of acute respiratory infections among under-five children.