EFFECTIVENESS OF COMPUTER ASSISTED TEACHING ON KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF BREAST FEEDING AMONG MOTHERS IN A SELECTED HOSPITAL IN CHENNAI

ABSTRACT Breastfeeding is the divine nourishment for a newborn. Although some aspects of breast-feeding come naturally to mother, learning proper skills is crucial for successful lactation. Aim: To determine the effectiveness of computer assisted teaching on knowledge and practice of breast feeding among mothers. Settings and Design: Hospital-based; Quasi experimental – time series design. Non probability convenience sampling technique was used to collect 103 experimental and 101 control group samples. Using a researcher administered questionnaire and observational checklist, data was tabulated, analysed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: In post-test among Experimental group, 25 (24.17%) of the mothers had inadequate level of knowledge score, 46 (44.66%) had moderate level of knowledge score and 32 (31.07%) had adequate level of knowledge score. In control group, 55 (54.46%) had inadequate level of knowledge score, 46 (45.54%) had moderate level of knowledge score and none of them were having adequate level of knowledge score. In post-test-1, among experimental group, 22 (21.36%) were having inadequate level of practice score, 45 (43.69%) were having moderate level of practice score and 36 (34.95%) were having adequate level of practice score. In control group, 54 (53.47%) were having inadequate level of practice score, 47 (46.53%) were having moderate level of practice score and none of them were having adequate level of practice score. Conclusion: Computer assisted teaching enabled mothers to gain more knowledge and better practice of breast feeding. Key Words: Breastfeeding, Knowledge, Practice, Mothers.