Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences
Article Title
Effectiveness of computer-assisted teaching program on knowledge and practice of postnatal mothers regarding newborn care
Abstract
Introduction: The arrival of a newborn in a family is a complex and significant event. There will be a series of functional changes to prepare the newborn for the passage across the bridge between gestation, within and outside the womb. Lack of essential newborn care is one of the leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. To prevent these problems, practices such as clean cord care, thermal regulation and initiating breastfeeding immediately after birth could play an essential role. The objective of the study is to determine the effectiveness of computerassisted teaching program on knowledge and practice of postnatal mothers regarding newborn care. Method: An evaluative approach with one group pre-test and post-test design was adopted. A structured knowledge questionnaire and practice checklist was constructed, and a computer-assisted teaching program was developed, content validity and reliability of the data collection instrument was established. Using a nonprobability convenient sampling technique study was conducted among 50 postnatal mothers in Holenarasipura Government Hospital. A structured knowledge questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge and practice checklist was used to determine the self-reported practice. After the implementation of a computer-assisted teaching program, post-test was conducted on the fourth day using the same structured questionnaire and observational checklist. The results were described by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: The analysis of pre-test and post-test knowledge showed that the mean percentage of post-test knowledge score (77.2%) was higher than the mean percentage of pre-test knowledge score (48%). The mean percentage of the post-test practice score (76.2%) was higher than the mean percentage of the pre-test practice score (45.2%). There was a significant difference between the mean pre-test and post-test knowledge score (t (cal) =42.83, t (49) =1.96, p < .05) as well as practice score (t (cal) = 30.03, t (49) =1.96, p < .05), which revealed that computer-assisted teaching program was effective in improving the knowledge and practice of postnatal mothers regarding newborn care. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the computer-assisted teaching program was effective in improving the knowledge and practice of postnatal mothers regarding newborn care. This training program can be implemented at the OPD level for educating postnatal mothers and family members during antenatal visits or in the wards to empower them to provide comprehensive newborn care.