A STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STRUCTURED TEACHING PROGRAM ON KNOWLEDGE REGARDING HEALTH HAZARDS OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES AMONG ANTENATAL MOTHERS AT SELECTED MATERNITY HOSPITALS, BANGALORE

Background of the Study:Electronic devices are components for controlling the flow of electrical currents for the purpose of information processing and system control. Prominent examples include transistors and diodes. Electronic devices are usually small and can be grouped together into packages called integrated circuits. Electronic devices are now an integral part of modern life. In many countries over half the population use electronic devices and the market is growing very rapidly. The electromagnetic field radiations impart an adverse effect on physical, mental and the emotional state of a pregnant mother and deeply affect the brain cells of mother and her unborn child. It affects level of melatonin, a sleep- controlling hormone which causes sleep disturbances in mothers, that pass to unborn babies through the placenta resulting in growth retardation. Objectives: 1. To assess the level of knowledge regarding health hazards of electronic devices during pregnancy among antenatal mothers in selected maternity Hospitals, Bangalore. 2. To evaluate the effectiveness of structured teaching program on knowledge regarding health hazards of electronic devices during pregnancy among antenatal mothers attending in selected maternity Hospitals, Bangalore. 3. To determine the association between knowledge score with selected demographic variables among antenatal mothers attending in selected maternity Hospitals, Bangalore. Methods:The research approach adopted was an evaluative research approach and research design adopted for this study was Pre experimental one group pretest and post-test research design. Simple random sampling technique was used to collect 60 antenatal mother sample. Data was collected over a period of one month. Structured knowledge questionnaire used as a tool to assess knowledge regarding the health hazards of electronic devices. Data obtained was analysed in terms of objectives which was calculated and tabulated. Results:In pretest, out of 60 antenatal mothers, 33.3% had inadequate knowledge and 66.7% had moderately adequate knowledge and none of the antenatal mothers had adequate knowledge. In post-test, out of 60 antenatal mothers, 73.3% had adequate knowledge, 26.7% had moderately adequate knowledge and none of the antenatal mother had inadequate knowledge. Over all knowledge the paired mean difference was 11.08 and SD of difference was 0.263 and enhancement mean percentage was 37 It was found significant (t=24.464, df=59) (i.e, p<0.05). The paired t-test was also worked out and it was found to be invariably significant (i.e p<0.05). The present study found the significant association between knowledge regarding health hazards of electronic devices at selected demographic variables of antenatal mothers. Interpretation and Conclusion: The study concluded that the post-test knowledge of antenatal mothers was improved after undergone Structured teaching programme regarding health hazards of electronic devices. The overall findings of the study clearly showed that the structured teaching programme was effective in improving the knowledge level of antenatal mothers regarding health hazards of electronic devices.