INTRODUCTION:

“Water is the lifeblood of our bodies, our economy, our nation and our wellbeing”

Stephen Johnsen

Water is the most indispensable nature resource in the world for every living being. The entire life-support systems are dependent upon this vital resource. It is most important to all as it is directly consumed by all living entities¹. Water is universal healer. It is synonymous with life. A basic necessity, water is nature’s most generous gift to man. It is not only a refreshing drink and an effective cleansing agent but also a vital medicine. Adequate supply of fresh and clean drinking water is a basic need for all human beings on the earth.

“Waterborne diseases are caused by ingestion of contaminated water from pathogens contained in human or animal excreta.” Contaminated water and poor sanitation are linked to transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio. Inadequate or inappropriately managed water and sanitation services expose individuals to preventable health risks².

Waterborne infections are among the most emerging and re-emerging infectious disease throughout the world. Waterborne diseases are infectious disease spread primarily through contaminated water. Though these diseases are spread either directly or through flies or filth, water is chief medium for spread of these diseases and hence they are termed as waterborne diseases. Water contamination is caused by sewage and industrial effluent, surface runoff and many anthropogenic activities.³

The Sustainable Development Goal, 2017 aimed to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030. However globally 780 million people live without access to safe water and approximately 2.5 billion people in the developing world live without access to adequate sanitation⁴. Polluted water and poor sanitation practices expose individuals to health risks. Emerging water-borne pathogens constitute a significant health hazard in both developed and developing nations as they can spread rapidly and affect large sections of the population.⁵ Water-borne diseases are transmitted through contaminated drinking water with pathogen microorganisms such as protozoa, virus, bacteria, and intestinal parasites. Around 829,000 people are estimated to die each year from diarrheal diseases majorly cholera, dysentery and typhoid fever due to unsafe drinking water and unhygienic sanitation practice⁶.

NEED OF THE STUDY:

Recent researches also show that due to climate change waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea is increasing gradually. In low-income countries waterborne diseases are well known public health problem. Although burden of waterborne diseases is substantial in most of the low-income countries, intervention for reducing these medical conditions is fragmented. The global use of improved water sources is up to 87% but still 884 million people don’t have access to safe drinking water along with improved water supply, proper sanitation and adequate hygiene practices are pivotal for sustaining high water quality and reduce water related diseases. Today, only 61% of global population use improved sanitation facilities, which leaves out 2.6 billion people.

Ms. Sharmila, Prof. Pranat, Barua, Ms Minu Joseph conducted a study to assess the knowledge and practice regarding waterborne disease and its prevention among mothers with a view to conduct a health education programme at selected PHC of Gurgaon. A descriptive design was used to assess the knowledge and practice regarding waterborne diseases. The sample consists of 300 mothers of under five children. purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample. The instrument for the data collection was a structured interview and self-expressed rating scale. The result showed that 160(53.3%) having poor knowledge, but practice score indicated that 282(94%) were having good practice. ⁷

From the above literature of review, it is evident that water borne infections are a significant concern which contributes to increasingly mortality and morbidity rate in developing countries So the need felt to create an awareness regarding preventive measures for water borne diseases among the mothers of under five children. Based on the review of literature, the investigator felt that, there is a need for structured teaching program which will improve the knowledge on prevention of waterborne diseases to promote, protect and maintain health of under five children. As a responsibility of nurse, it is important to help the mother and community to bring awareness to prevent from water borne diseases. So, the researcher found it relevant to assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme on knowledge regarding the selected waterborne diseases among the mothers of under five children in selected area of district Mandi (HP).

OBJECTIVES:

a) To assess the pre test knowledge regarding selected water borne diseases among the mothers of under five children in experimental and control group.

b) To assess the effectiveness of structured teaching programme regarding selected water borne diseases among the mothers of under five children in experimental and control group.

c) To compare pre test and post test knowledge regarding selected water borne diseases among the mothers of under five children in experimental and control group.

d) To find out association of pre test knowledge score with their selected socio demographic variables in experimental and control group.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Research Design:

The research design selected for the present study is non-equivalent pre test post test Quasi experimental design. Quasi experimental research design involves the manipulation of independent variable to observe the effect on dependent variable.

Research setting:

The present study was conducted among mothers of under five children at selected areas of Distt. Mandi at Ratti, Kasarla and Barikot.

Sample:

In this study samples are mothers of under five children in selected areas of Distt. Mandi.

Sample size and sampling technique:

For the present study non-probability Purposive sampling technique was used to select 60 mothers of under five children who met inclusion criteria. In which 30 mother’s of under five children were in experimental group and 30 were in control group.

Data analysis:

Analysis and interpretation was done in accordance with the objectives laid down for the study. According to opinion of expert it was planned to organized, tabulate, analyses and interprets the data by using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The data was analyzed by calculating the score in terms of frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi- square, etc.

RESULTS:

Major findings of the study include:

1. Frequency and percentage of socio demographic variables:

a) Socio-demographic variables revealed that according to age, in experimental group the less than half of mothers of under five children14 (46.7%) were in age group 25-31 years whereas in control group more than half of mothers of under five children 16(53.3%) were in age group 25-31 years.

b) As per Religion, in experimental group majority of the mothers of under five children 30 (100%) belonged to the Hindu religion whereas in control group majority of mothers of under five children 29 (96.7%) belonged to Hindu religion.

c) As per Educational status of mother, in experimental group more than half of mothers of under five children 16 (53.3%) had secondary education whereas in control group majority of mothers of under five children 21(70%) had secondary education.

d) As per mother’s occupation in experimental group 26(86.7%) were house maker whereas in control group 27(90%) were house maker.

e) As per monthly income status in rupees, in experimental group majority of participants 19(63.3%) had monthly income ≤10,000/- whereas in control group, majority of participants 17(56.7%) had monthly income ≤10,000/-.

f) According to the number of children, in experimental group half of mother’s 15(50%) had 1 child whereas in control group half of mother’s 15(50%) others had 2 children.

g) As per type of family in experimental group, more than half 18(60%) had joint family whereas in control group, more than half 17(56.7%0 had joint family.

h) In accordance to area of residence in experimental group majority of families 29(96.7%) resided in rural areas whereas in control group majority of participants 28(93%) were resided in rural area.

i) The source of drinking water, in experimental group majority of families tap water was the primary source 25(83.3%) whereas in control group tap water was the primary source 19(63.3%).

j) industrial area near drinking water, there were no significant of industrial area near drinking water in experimental group whereas in control group had 22(73.3%) industrial area near drinking water.

k) With regard to type of drainage system, in experimental group 17(56.7%) had closed drainage system whereas in control group 17(56.7%) had open drainage system.

l) As per previous knowledge regarding water borne diseases, in experimental group 23(76.7%) had previous knowledge about water borne diseases whereas in control group 22(73.3%) had previous knowledge about waterborne diseases.

m) As per source of information, in experimental group 14(46.7%) were those who taking information from books /newspaper whereas in control group 11(36.7%) were those who taking information from books/newspaper.

2. Findings related to pre test knowledge score regarding waterborne diseases among the mothers of under five children:

The finding of the study revealed that in pre test knowledge of experimental group out of 30 mothers of under five children majority of 17(56.7%) had poor knowledge followed by 13 (43.3%) had average knowledge. In comparison to pre test knowledge of control group out of 30 mothers of under five children majority of 19(63.3%) had poor knowledge followed by 11 (36.7%) had average knowledge.

3. Findings related to post test knowledge score regarding waterborne diseases among the mothers of under five children.

In post test knowledge of experimental group out of 30 mothers of under five children majority of 22(73.3%) had good knowledge followed by 8(26.7%) had average knowledge. In comparison to post test knowledge of control group out of 30 mothers of under five children majority of 18(60%) had average knowledge followed by 12 (40%) had poor knowledge.

4. Findings related to comparison of pre test and post test knowledge regarding waterborne diseases among the mothers of under five children:

In comparison of pre test and post test knowledge of mothers of under five children in experimental group and control group it reveals that in experimental group there was significant t(29)= 26.234, p<0.001 difference in knowledge score between pre test (12.50±2.113) and post test (26.13±2.725) knowledge of mother whereas in control group there was no significant t(29)=1.201,p = 0.239 difference In knowledge score between pre test (12.267±2.196) and post test (12.80±1.827) knowledge of mothers .

5. Findings related to association of pre test knowledge score with socio- demographic variables in experimental group and control group.

In experimental group, the result of chi²test, association of pre test knowledge score with socio- demographic variable source of drinking water (ᵪ²=3.285, p= 0.050) was found significant at level p ≤0.05. In control group, the result of chi²test, association of pre test knowledge score with socio-demographic variable area of residence (ᵪ²=3.701, p= 0.044), industrial area near drinking source (ᵪ²=3.1353, p=0.047), type of drainage (ᵪ²=4.474, p=0.034) was found significant at level p ≤0.05.

CONCLUSION:

Findings of the present study revealed that more than half of the subject had poor knowledge regarding the selected water borne diseases. The knowledge of mother’s of under five children regarding selected waterborne diseases remarkably increased after the implementation structured teaching programme.

REFERENCES:

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7. A correlational study to assess the knowledge and practice regarding waterborne disease and its prevention with a view to conduct a health education program at PHC OF Gurgaon Retrived from: https://www.researchpublish.com/upload/book/A Correlational Study to Assess the Knowledge-4886.pdf

Received on 09.01.2025 Revised on 29.01.2025

Accepted on 14.02.2025 Published on 21.05.2025

Available online from May 23, 2025

Int. J. of Advances in Nursing Management. 2025;13(2):111-114.

DOI: 10.52711/2454-2652.2025.00022

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