Knowledge Regarding Integrated Child Development Scheme Among Mothers of Under Five Year Children In Selected Urban Area Boileauganj, District Shimla (H.P.)

Background: A mother’s role in child’s development is very essential. A mother must create a proper environment for the child to play, learn and grow. There is strong relationship between maternal education and child health outcomes. The future of a nation is shaped by the investment it makes in its children. Recognizing the importance of early childhood in the life of an individual, Government of India (GOI) launched ICDS in 2 October, 1975 to provide young children with the inputs necessary for their growth, survival and holistic development. Materials and Methods: A pre-experimental one group pre-test post-test design was used. Sample of 60 mothers of less than five year children were selected by using convenience sampling technique. Data was collected using self-structured knowledge questionnaire regarding Integrated Child Development Scheme. Results: The results of study revealed that, in pre-test 1(1.7%) of the teachers had good knowledge, 51(85%) had average knowledge, 8(13.3%) had poor knowledge whereas in posttest knowledge scores, 48(80%) had good knowledge, 12(20%) had average knowledge and 0 (0%) had poor knowledge. It was found that there was significant improvement in the post-test knowledge score with ‘t’ value 31.226 which was significant at ‘p’<0.001. Conclusion: Study concluded that the structured teaching programme was effective in increasing the knowledge of mothers of under five year children regarding Integrated Child Development Scheme.