A Pilot Study to Determine the Prevalence of Protein Energy Malnutrition and Assess the Effectiveness of Structured Nursing Intervention on Knowledge and Practice of Mothers in Managing PEM among Under Five Children in Selected Rural Areas of Kutch-Gujara

Background Food is an important and basic biological need of man. It is essential for life, growth and repair of the human body, regulation of body mechanisms and production of energy for work. A fair section of the population does not get enough food to eat and their diets are deficient calories also. The children in the developing countries suffer from malnutrition. Objectives To find out the difference between the pre and post test level of Knowledge and Practice regarding Managing Protein Energy Malnutrition among mothers of under five children at selected villages in Kutch-Gujarat. Methods An evaluative approach with a one group pre-test and posttest re experimental design was adopted for the study which was conducted in rural anganwadies of Bhuj-Kutch Gujarat. The population selected for the study was under five children and mothers of PEM children. Under five children were assessed with nutritional assessment parameters such as Height, weight, Midarm circumference and Chest circumference to identify the PEM and Mothers of PEM identified children were selected as a sample. Results Majority of PEM children mothers are (80 %) were 19 to 30 year of age, (55 %) were primary school, (85 %) were house wife, (50 %) were less than 5000, (80 %) belongs to a joint family, (75 %) were vegetarian, 40 % were 2 year of age, (20 %) were getting knowledge from television and health workers, anganwadi workers, ASHA worker. Prevalence, Protein Energy Malnutrition, Under five children, rural area.