INTRODUCTION:
It has been estimated that more than 25% of
the world’s population are infected with worms, with the major incidence
occuring in developing countries. It is one of the main health concerns
especially among children. Worm infestation is a major Public health problem in
children from developing countries due to bad hygiene and anemia in children,
especially when hook worm infestation is present. Even though it is almost
eradicate from Europe and USA hook worm infestation is still seen in warm moist
climate of tropical and sub tropical region between 45 degree and 30 degree
exist of the equator. The global prevalence of worm infestation is about
700-900 million cases. The annual number of death due to hook worm related to
anemia comes under 5000-6000. The school age children are vulnerable or certain
disease affects them and result in increased morbidity and mortality by rates.1
These disease include diarrhoea, malaria as well as other vector borne disease,
acute respiratory infection and unintentional injuries. The children death can
be prevented if we know what to do. Strategies have been developed to face
their threats to children’s health. The need to be implemented on a global and
national scale special risk group in any population describing special health
care because of their immaturity in the various stages of growth and
development. The school age children are more prone to acquire some infection
which is not seen in adult medical care through their life span.2
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:
A study to assess the effectiveness of structured
teaching program on Knowledge regarding Worm infestation among school age
children at a selected urban area, Salem.
NEED FOR THE STUDY:
Worms are all around us. They are in soil, food,
unwashed fruits and vegetables and damp clothes. There are different types of
worms in the environment. Among them round worm, tapeworm, hookworm and pinworm
are common. Worm infestation can be prevented by practicing good personal
hygiene, washing hands before eating and after defecation, changing diapers,
handling pets, keeping finger nails sho3rt and clean. Parasites can live for
two months under the finger nails.3 Fruits and vegetables should be
washed before consuming. The wax substance on the outer surface on any fruits
or vegetables should be scrapped off with a knife before washing. Eating
grapes, meats and fish with open splits should be avoided and instructed to
drink pure water4.Living environment should be kept clean. Children
should be advised not to walk bare foot on moist soil or while playing in the
garden. A little garlic added to their food will helps to Controls some
parasites. Animal can spread 240 diseases to human because of parasites.5
· To assess the knowledge on worm infestation
among school age children.
· To find out the association of knowledge
regarding Worm infestation among school age children with there selected
demographic variables.
OPERATIONAL DEFINITION:
Assess:
Statistical measurement of knowledge regarding worm
infestation among school age children as observed from the scores based on semi
structured questionnaire.
Effectiveness:
It refers to increase in post test scores after
administering structured teaching programme regarding worm infestation among
school age children and would be assessed by using structured questionnaire.
Structured Teaching programme:
It is a well-planned teaching programme on imparting
specific knowledge regarding worm infestation among school age children.
Knowledge:
It is correct response given by school age children to
the items in the structured questionnaire regarding worm infestation.
Worm infestation:
It refers to the invasion of the parasites that live
in the GI tract, which affects the health of the individual and the worms
included are roundworm, hookworm, pinworm and tapeworm.
School age children:
Refers to children attending school with the age group
of 11years to 15 years.
ASSUMPTIONS:
· School children may have some knowledge on
worm infestation.
· Structured teaching programme regarding
worm infestation may improve their knowledge.
HYPHOTHESIS:
H1: There will be a significant difference
between pre-test and post test scores on knowledge regarding worm infestation
among school age children at p≤0.05 level.
H2: There will be a significant association
between pre test scores on knowledge regarding worm infestation among school
age children and their selected demographic variables at P≤0.05 level.
Literature related to knowledge regarding worm
infestation:
Seema Yadav, (2023) conducted an evaluative study to assess the
effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge of prevention of
worm infestation through child-to-child program among school children aged
between (8-12 years) in school, Rangareddy Dist. The study adopted the
pre-experimental two group pre-test and post-test design. The study was
conducted on population consists of the school children who are studying 6th
and 4th class in school. The sample size consists of 100 school
children aged from8-12 years. The sample was selected through convenient
sampling technique. The structured questionnaire was used to collect the data
from school children. The post-test knowledge scores were significantly
improved to 44.00% above average level after structured teaching programme. The
pre- test mean score was 12.12 and the post-test mean score was 18.12, the
calculated ‘t’ value 8.726 was highly significant at 0.05 level, the table
value was 2.39 which was lower than the calculated ‘t’ value hence it conclude
that structured teaching programme was effective and the child to child
approach was less effective.
Mamta Nebhinani (2019), conducted
a study to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on
prevention of worm infestation among school children. The pre experimental
research study was conducted on students of 6th and 7th
classes of Government high school. Kubheri, Mohali, Punjab, India. Total of 35
students were selected through convenient sampling technique. One group
pre-test, post-test research design was used. Data was collected using
self-structured knowledge questionnaire. The results showed that there has been
increase in the knowledge of school children after structured teaching
programme. About 83% of the school children had scored marks within good
category in the post test. The mean difference of pre test and post test
knowledge score was 2.83 which is statistically significant at 0.05 level.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:
Research methodology is a way to systematically solve
the research problem. It may be understand as all those methods (or)
techniques that are used for conduction of research
Research approach: Quantitative approach
Research design: Quasi experimental research design
Research Variable:
Independent variable : Structured teaching programme.
Dependent variable: Knowledge regarding worm infestation.
Setting of the study:
This study was conducted in Ariyagoundampatti
Village, Salem.
Population:
The population for this study comprises of all school
age children between the age group of 11 – 15 years at a selected area, Salem.
Sample:
The sample comprised of Children who are between
11years to 15years of age in Ariyagoundampatti village, Salem.
Sample size:
Sample consists of 53 school age children.
Sampling technique:
Convenience sampling technique was adopted for
selecting the samples for the study.
CRITERIA FOR SAMPLE COLLECTION:
Inclusion criteria:
School age children,
· Who were in the age group of 11_15years.
· Who can understand and speak tamil.
· Who were willing to participate in the
study.
Exclusion criteria :
School age children,
· Who were suffering with any medical
illness.
· Who were not available during the period of
data collection.
DESCRIPTION OF TOOL:
The structured interview schedule comprises of 2
sections.
Section – 1:
This section consists of background data like age,
sex, educational status, father’s education, mother’s education, family monthly
income, type of family and source of information.
Section – 2:
This section consists of structured questionnaire to
assess the knowledge regarding worm infestation among school children.
Data analysis:
This chapter deals with the analysis and
interpretation of the data collected from the school age children at a selected
community area (Ariyagoundampatti), Salem. The findings of the samples are
tabulated, analysed and preserved in the tables, figures and interpreted under
the following sections based on the objectives and hypotheses of the study
Table-1: Frequency and percentage distribution of
samples according to their selected demographic variables. n =
53
|
S.
No
|
Demographic variables
|
Frequency
|
Percentage
|
|
1.
|
Age in years
a)11years
b) 12 years
c) 13 years
d) 14 years
e)15years
|
8
14
17
11
3
|
15
26
32
21
6
|
|
2.
|
Gender
a) Male
b) Female
|
31
22
|
58
42
|
|
3.
|
Family monthly income
a) <Rs.10, 000
b) Rs.10,000& above
|
36
17
|
68
32
|
|
4.
|
Type of family
a) Joint family
b) Nuclear family
c)Extend family
|
9
38
6
|
17
72
11
|
|
5.
|
Educational status
a) 6thstd
b) 7thstd
c) 8thstd
d) 9thstd
e) 10thstd
|
12
16
11
11
3
|
22.6
30.1
20.7
20.7
11.3
|
|
5.
|
Education of Father
a) No formal education
b) Primary education
c) Secondary education
d) Higher Secondary education
e) Diploma
f) Degree
|
14
21
12
5
1
0
|
26.4
39.6
22.6
9.4
1.8
0
|
|
6.
|
Education of Mother
a) No formal education
b) Primary education
c) Secondary education
d) Higher Secondary education
e) Diploma
f) Degree
|
12
26
11
4
0
0
|
22.6
49
20.7
7.5
0
0
|
|
7
|
Previous knowledge regarding worm
infestation
a) Yes
b) No
|
13
40
|
24.5
75.4
|
|
7.1
|
If yes, source of knowledge
a) Parents
b) Teachers
c) Peer groups
d) Health personnel
e) Others
|
4
8
1
0
0
|
30.7
61.5
7.6
0
0
|
Table-2: Frequency and percentage distribution
according to their pre test and post test scores on
Knowledge. n = 53
|
S.
No
|
Knowledge
|
Pre test
|
Post test
|
|
f
|
%
|
f
|
%
|
|
1
|
Adequate Knowledge
|
-
|
-
|
43
|
81.1
|
|
2
|
Moderately Adequate Knowledge
|
34
|
64.1
|
10
|
18.8
|
|
3
|
Inadequate Knowledge
|
19
|
35.8
|
-
|
-
|
Table-3: Paired ‘t’ test of pre and post test knowledge
scores among school age children. n = 53
|
Knowledge
|
Mean
|
SD
|
‘t’ value
|
Table value
|
|
Pre test
|
9.5
|
2.33
|
25.28
|
1.67
|
|
Post test
|
19.4
|
3.29
|
25.28
|
1.67
|
*df =52 ; p≤0.05 – Significant.
DISCUSSION:
This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness
of child to child structures teaching program on prevention of worm infestation
among school age children at selected urban area. During pre test the highest %
of samples, 34 (64.1%) had moderately adequate knowledge and 19(35.8%) had
inadequate knowledge regarding worm infestation. During post test majority of
the sample 43(81.1%) had adequate knowledge and 10 (18.8%) had moderately
adequate knowledge regarding worm infestation. In pre test mean score is 9.5 ±
2.33 and post test mean score is 19.4 ± 3.29.
CONCLUSION:
This study was done to assess the effectiveness of
structured teaching programme on knowledge among school age children at
selected area, Salem. The result of this study showed that structured teaching
programme was effective in improving the Knowledge among school age children
selected area. There was no significant association between the present scores
on knowledge regarding worm infestation of samples and their selected
background variables in selected area.
IMPLICATIONS:
The findings of the study have implicated the
different branches of nursing profession at nursing education, nursing
administration and practice in nursing research. By assessing the Knowledge of
school age children regarding worm infestation. The researcher got a clear
picture regarding different steps to be taken fields to improve the Knowledge
of school age children.
Nursing services:
· Continuous education to the school teachers
regarding importance of deworming and reducing the prevalence of worm
infestation
· Regular screening of school age children
should be arranged by school health nurse to detect treat and prevent worm
infestation.
Nursing education:
School age children are tomorrow citizen so the
nursing curriculum should focus much on the assessment and improvement of their
competencies in terms of care of children illness with appropriate measures.
Nursing Administration:
· The administration can provide short
course/ classes to the school teachers regularly regarding the Knowledge on
worm infestation.
· The administration could organize in-
service education programme for the nurses regarding worm infestation in
children by experts.
Nursing Research:
The study can be issued for further references it may
form a base for further study it the fields. Research should be done to find
out the effectiveness of structured teaching programme in terms of better
improvement in case of worm infestation in children
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The present study recommends the following;
1. As the structured teaching programme was
effective in school age children.
2. School age children should be motivated to
use the health care services available in their area.
3. Mass communication through regional
language should be adapted to educate regarding round worm infestation in
school age children
REFERENCE:
1. Park K. Text book of Preventive and Social
Medicine, 21” edition, Banarsidas Bhanot Publishers, 1167-1169.
2. Polit DF, Beck. Nursing Research Generating
and Assessing the evidence for Nursing Practice, 11th Edition,
Wolter and Kluwer Publishers.
3. Mamta Nebhinani. Effectiveness of Structured
Teaching Programme on Prevention of Worm Infestation among School Children RRJNHS. 2015; 1(3).
4. Effectiveness of Structured
Teaching Programme on Knowledge regarding Helminthic Infestations among Mothers
of Under- Five children, International Journal of Nursing Education and Research. February
2022. DOI:10.52711/2454-2660.2022.00008
5. Yadav S et.al. Effectiveness of planned
teaching programme regarding worm infestation on knowledge among mothers of
under-five children in rural area of Lucknow district. International Journal of
Community Medicine and Public Health. 2020; 8(1): 267
DOI:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20205706
6. Seema Yadav. An Evaluative study
to assess the Effectiveness of Structured Teaching Programme on knowledge of
prevention of worm infestation through child to child approach program among
school children aged between 8-12 years in school, 2023; 5(5).
7. E. Kalaivani, G. Ambujam. Comparative Study to Assess
the Knowledge on Worm Infestation among Urban and Rural Mothers of School Going
Children (3-12 Yrs) at Karaikal District, Published in Medico-Legal
Update 23 October 2020 DOI:10.37506/MLU.V20I4.1812, Corpus ID: 230638552
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Available online on December 31, 2024
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