A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Hands on Training on Choking First AId Measures Among Mothers of Under Five Children a Pre Experimental One-Group Pre-Test Post -Test Study at Venkatachalam, Nellore, Ap

Children under the age of five years are among the most vulnerable populations in terms of health and safety. Choking occurs when a foreign object becomes lodged in the airway or throat, blocking the flow of air.[1] According to the World Health Organization (WHO), choking is one of the leading causes of unintentional injury deaths in young children, particularly those aged between one and four years. Most choking incidents occur at home, often in the presence of caregivers who are unaware of the correct first aid procedures to relieve airway obstruction. Therefore, empowering mothers the primary caregivers of young children with adequate knowledge and practical skills in choking first aid measures is of paramount importance.[2] Early and effective intervention during a choking episode can mean the difference between life and death. Despite the availability of information through various media, studies have shown that most parents lack the confidence and competence to manage such emergencies effectively. Many mothers depend on traditional or inappropriate practices such as slapping the child’s back in the wrong position or attempting to remove the object with fingers, which can worsen the situation. This highlights the urgent need for structured, practical, and hands-on training programs to educate mothers on evidence based first aid techniques for choking.[3] Objectives: 1. To determine the pre test and post test level of knowledge scores regarding choking first aid measures among mothers of under five children. 2. To determine effectiveness of hands on training on knowledge regarding choking first aid measures among mothers of under five children. 3. To determine association between pre test level of knowledge scores regarding choking first aid measures among mothers of under five children. Methodology: A quantitative research approach, pre-experimental one group pre-test-post-test design. mothers with under five children in venkatachalam, Nellore. Total 100 women was selected by using Non probability convenience sampling technique. The data collection procedure was carried out after obtaining formal Permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee, The investigator interviews the participants for filling the socio demographic data, structured questionnaire which consists of questions related to Choking. The data were analyzed in terms of objectives of the study using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The association between the effectiveness of hands on training program regarding choking among mothers of under five children and their socio demographic variables such as age, gender of baby, educational qualification, occupation, income per month, number of children were all found to be non significant at the level of p=<0.005. However, the variables of age of baby, religion, source of information, attending any educational program on choking among mothers of under five children showed a significant association at the level of p=<0.005. Conclusion: The study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of hands on training programs among mothers of under five children in rural areas. The mean 5.03 and standard deviation 10.95 in pre test and in post test scores is 2.05 and standard deviation is 2.29 the variables of age of baby, religion, source of information, attending any educational program on choking among mothers of under five children showed a significant association at the level of p=<0.005. The result of the study indicated that hands on training program was very effective in reducing choking. Therefore, the investigator felts that more importance should have been given to this program.