ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STP ON KNOWLEDGE OF MOTHERS REGARDING WEANING AND RESPONSIVE FEEDING AMONG INFANTS IN SELECTED VILLAGES OF HIMACHAL PRADESH

Background:Weaning means introducing a wide range of foods gradually until the baby is eating the same food as the rest of the family. Until six months, the baby needs only breast milk or infant formula milk. Around six months of age, the baby needs initially semisolid foods and later on gradually solid foods are introduced in addition to breast or formula milk. Responsive feeding is a component of active feeding that provides complementary foods in an active manner. Active feeding is when the parent or caregiver engages in positive behaviour with the child, while encouraging and bearing in mind the interests of the child during mealtimes. Aim:The aim of this study conducted was to increase the knowledge of mothersregarding weaning and responsive feeding for infants. Methodology: A quantitative approach withpreexperimental, one group pretest post test design was used. Sample And Sampling Technique:This study include 40 samples of mothers. Sample was selected using purposive sampling technique. Setting:The research setting was selected community area of Solan, H.P. i.e. Noun, Dhar ki baid, Sihardimusalmana, Sukhhijhodi. Tools:The Socio Demographic Performa and structured knowledge questionnaires was used to collect the data. After assessing the preexisting knowledge of the sample, (STP) on weaning and responsive feeding was administered to the selected mothers at community area Solan. At the end post test was conducted. Result:In analysis both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used. The pre-test mean score was 13.03. The post test mean score was26.08. The difference in mean % was 32.63. The result of post test depicted that, (87.5%) mothers had very good knowledge, and (12.5%) had excellent knowledge and none of the mother had average and poor knowledge. The conclusion of the study revealed that there was significant improvement in the knowledge on the weaning and responsive feeding.