SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY:

Normal children are healthy, happy and well adjusted. This adjustment is developed by providing basic emotional needs along with physical and physiological needs for their mental wellbeing. The emotional needs are considered as emotional food for healthy behavior. The children are dependent on their parents, so parents are responsible for fulfillment of the emotional needs. Every child should have tender loving care and sense of security about protection from parent and family members. Parents especially mothers should be aware about achievements of their children¹.

India is home to almost 19% of the world’s children. More than 1/3rd of the country's population, around 440 million is below 18 years.

In that 8-10% of children is between 6 -10 years of age. Conduct is the most serious psychiatric disorder. Studies shows that 6-10% boys and 2-9% of girls have conduct disorders. Serious violation of rules, often stays outside at night despite parental prohibition begins before 13years of age and the problem of running away from home overnight are some of the major conduct disorders².

A study conducted in National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore resulted that all behavioral emergencies in the state of Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh which together accounts for more than 15% of India’s population. A total of 40,541 cases of behavioral emergencies were recorded, in which most victims from poor socioeconomic status (93%), rural area (74%) and backward caste (43)³.

Conduct disorder usually appears in early or middle childhood as Oppositional Defiant Behavior. Nearly one half of children with early Oppositional Defiant Behavior have an affective disorder, conduct disorder or both. Thus careful diagnosis to exclude irritability due to another unrecognized internalizing disorder is important in childhood. Evaluation of parent- child interaction and teacher child interaction is also critical⁴.

Compared with children who have conduct disorders have three times more likely to smoke cigarette ;2.5 times more likely to drink.30% of conduct disorders in childhood continuous in adulthood.50 to 70% of 10 year old with conduct disorder will be abusing substances four years later.20% of teenage with conduct disorders have anti social personality as a result³.

Difficulty in school is an early sign of potential conduct disorder problems. While the child's IQ tends to be in normal range, they can have trouble with verbal and abstract reasoning skills and lack behind their classmates. Consequently, they feel as if they don't ''fit in''. The frustration and loss of self -esteem resulting from this academic and social inadequacy can trigger the development of conduct disorder⁵.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

A study to assess the knowledge on prevention of conduct problems among school teachers in selected schools, Salem.

OBJECTIVES:

· To assess the knowledge on prevention of conduct problems among school teachers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Research approach and design:

Descriptive design with cross sectional survey approach

Setting of the study:

Selected primary schools, Salem.

Population:

All primary school teachers, Salem

Sample:

Primary school teachers, Salem and presented during the period of data collection.

Sample size:

The sample size of the study was 60.

Sampling technique:

Purposive sampling

Description of the tool:

Semi Structured Interview Schedule was used to collect the data from the samples. It consists of two sections.

I. Section – A:

Consists of demographic data of Age, Gender, Religion, Type of family, Occupation of the parents, Place of Residence, Years of experience.

II. Section – B:

Rating scale and open ended questionnaire will be used to a study to assess the knowledge on prevention of conduct problems among school teachers in selected schools, Salem.

Ethical considerations:

Written permission was obtained from the head of the institutions, Salem prior to the data collection.

Instruction was given to the mothers related to the tool to get the cooperation. Further prior to data collection, each teacher was explained about the purpose and subject and their concern was taken.

RESULTS AND FINDINDS:

Percentage wise distribution of teachers shows that overall level of knowledge on preventing conduct problems. In general 78.3% of primary school teachers are having inadequate knowledge, 21.7% of them having moderate knowledge and none of them having adequate knowledge (Fig No:1.1).Percentage wise distribution of maximum knowledge in Definition, incidence and prevalence of conduct disorders (52.5%) and minimum knowledge in Management and prevention of conduct disorders ( 39.7%). Overall they are having 43.4% of knowledge.

Fig No: Bar diagram showing percentagewise distribution level of knowledge of school teachers regarding prevention of conduct problems.

The association between the knowledge score with selected socio demographic variables. There was no significant association between the knowledge score and the socio demographic variables.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

· Same study can be conducted by using large sample to generalize the findings

· A study may be undertaken to assess the effectiveness of STP on knowledge on prevention of conduct problems among school teachers

RESEARCH FUNDING:

Self Funding by Author

REFERENCE:

1. Townsend C Mary(2007), Psychiatric Mental health Nursing. 5^th edition. Jaypee brothers, New Delhi, Pp:34-42.

2. Frank T(2000), Neurological and psychiatric disorder, Ireland Human Press; (4),Pp:13

3. Prahbhjot Malhi, Pratibha Singhi (2011), Conduct disorder prevalence rate in India, Indian journal of psychiatry, 5(1), Pp: 22-4.

4. Basavanthappa BT(2010), Nursing Education, 2^nd edition, Jaypee Brothers. New Delhi, Pp: 56

5. Sreevani R (2010), A guide to mental health and psychiatric nursing, Sanathe printers, Kundii, Pp:221 – 243.

Received on 18.09.2017 Modified on 30.10.2017

Int. J. of Advances in Nur. Management. 2018; 6(2): 106-108.

DOI: 10.5958/2454-2652.2018.00024.0