A Study To Assess The Effectiveness Of Structured Teaching Programme On Knowledge Regarding Prevention Of Hypothermia Among Mothers Of Neonates In Selected Hospitals At Bhopal

Abstract

Hypothermia is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body temperature falls below normal levels, and if untreated, it can progress to severe hypothermia, which may lead to death. It is particularly crucial to address mild hypothermia promptly to prevent its escalation. Recent studies have shown that moderate hypothermia (core body temperature between 32–34°C) can be used therapeutically to protect neurological functions in patients with severe head trauma, cardiac, or pulmonary distress. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of mothers regarding the prevention of hypothermia in neonates and evaluate the effectiveness of a structured teaching program to enhance their understanding. A pre-experimental, one-group pretest-posttest design was used, with 60 mothers of neonates from hospitals in Bhopal as participants. A structured questionnaire was employed to assess their knowledge, and health education on hypothermia prevention was provided. Results showed a significant improvement in the mothers’ knowledge scores after the structured teaching program, with a paired t-test value of 3.78 and a p-value of 0.0, confirming the effectiveness of the program. In conclusion, the structured teaching program proved to be an effective strategy for improving the knowledge of mothers regarding the prevention of hypothermia in neonates.