A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of IEC on Problems of Early Marriage in Terms of Knowledge and Attitude Among Adolescent Girls at Nanchiyampalayam, Dharapuram.

 

Mrs. Shalini Saranya¹, Mrs. Vijayarani Prince², Mrs. J. Lakshmi Priya³

¹Lecturer, Bishops College of Nursing, C.S.I Mission Compound, Dharapuram-638 656.

²Principal, Bishops College of Nursing, C.S.I Mission Compound, Dharapuram-638 656.

³Professor, Bishops College of Nursing, C.S.I Mission Compound, Dharapuram-638 656.

 

ABSTRACT:

Early marriage is a stark reality and injustice affecting girls globally. Early year, an estimated 10 million girls are married before they reach 18,the age below which people are defined as children by the united nations. In the developing world, 1 in 3 girls are married before the age of 18¹. The report predicts these rates will increase dramatically if nothing is done and that an additional 142 million girls will have been married between 2010-2020.The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of IEC on problems of early marriage in terms of knowledge and attitude among adolescent girls at Nanchiyampalayam, Dharapuram.The research approach used for the study was evaluative approach. The research design used for this study was pre experimental one group pretest posttest only design. Conceptual frame work adopted in the present study was the modified shuffle Beam CIPP model (1983).the purposive sampling technique was used to select 100 samples for the study. The tool used for the study was self administered questionnaire to assess knowledge and five point Likert scale to assess the attitude regarding problems of early marriage. IEC was prepared in which information were conveyed through video clips, video drama and slides using laptop, Education was given using flip chart. In communication the researcher discussed with samples regarding prevention of early marriage by using opinion questionnaire for 10 minutes. Collected data were tabulated and analysed by using statistical package. There is significant between pre test and post test knowledge scores. The mean pre test and post test scores were 10.41 (SD±3.86), 18.2(SD ±2.72) respectively. The post test mean score was higher than pre test mean score. Mean difference was 7.79. The paired ‘t’ test value was 8.85 which was significant at P< 0.05 level. The mean pre test and post test attitude scores were 47.13(SD±10), 64.2(SD± 5.3) respectively. Mean difference was 17.07.The paired ‘t’ test value was 8.33. Which was significant at P< 0.05 level. It showed that there was a positive correlation between knowledge and attitude scores. The results revealed that there was no significant association between problems of early marriage among adolescent girls and their selected demographic variables except for education of the mother (χ ²=7.827) at p < 0.05 level .The study findings showed that the IEC programme was effective in increasing the knowledge and attitude regarding problems of early marriage among adolescents.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

Adolescent is a phase of rapid growth and development during which physical, sexual and emotional changes occur. Adolescents are not homogeneous group and their needs vary with their gender, stage of development, life circumstances and the socio economic conditions in which they live. According to WHO the adolescent period is from the age of 10 years to 19 years, the second decade of life. It can be distinguished as early adolescence age 10-13 years, middle adolescence 14 -16 year, late adolescence age 17-20 years. The period of youth is from 15-24 years. Marrying early may seem very romantic and convenient, but it has its problem .Early marriage brings health problems which includes premature pregnancies, which cause higher rates of maternal and infant mortality. Teenage girls are also more vulnerable to sexually-transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS.

 

This is because they are frequently married off to older, and more sexually experienced, men. Girls aged 10 to 14 are five times more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth than women aged 20 to 24; while girls aged 15-19 are twice as likely to die. In India, the Government of India enacted the Prohibition of Child marriage Act, 2006 replacing the earlier legislation of child marriage restraint Act, 1929.

 

This legislation is armed with enabling provisions to prohibit child marriages, protect and provide relief to victims and enhance punishment for those who abet, promote or solemnize such marriages. This legislation was passed to provide for the prohibition of solemnization of child marriages and for matters connected therewith, unlike the other one (Child Marriage restrain Act, 1929) which was more concerned with restrain of the same by providing punishments.

 

IEC is a measure to improve people’s health by increasing awareness and knowledge and changing attitude and behavior. Information should be easily accessible to the people. Exposure to the right kind of health information can eliminate social and psychological barriers of ignorance, prejudices and misconceptions people may have about health matters, increase awareness of people to the point that they are able to perceive their health needs, and influence people to the extent that unfelt needs become felt needs. Education of the general public is an integral part of a prevention oriented approach to health and disease problems. It can help to increase knowledge.

 

Communication is more –than mere exchange of information. It is a process necessary to pave way for desired changes in human behavior, and informed individual and community participation to achieve predetermined goals. Worldwide 51 million child brides were married, the majority of them in West and East Africa and in South Asia. It was estimated that 100 million girls will be married before age 18 in the next ten years, with some as young as 10 or even younger. Recent UNICEF statistics show that one in every four girls in Tamil Nadu get married before 18 years with the percentage of 25.5 in rural areas and 21.4 in urban areas

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

RESEARCH APPROACH:

The research approach selected for the study evaluative approach.

 

RESEARCH DESIGN:

The research design of the study was pre experimental one group pre test post test only design.

 

SETTING OF THE STUDY:

The study was conducted in Nanchiyampalayam, Dharapuram.

 

POPULATION:

The target population selected for the study were adolescent girls.

 

SAMPLE:

Samples were adolescence girls between age group of 14-17 years.

 

SAMPLE SIZE:

Sample size of the study was 100 adolescent girls.

 

SAMPLING TECHNIQUE:

The purposive sampling technique was used to select the samples for the study.

 

Instruments and scoring procedure:

PART – I:

It consists of demographic variables such as age in completed years, religion, education, type of family, education of the father, education of the mother, family income per month, number of girl child in the family, mother’s age at marriage, sources of health information.

 

PART-II:

It consists of self administered questionnaire to assess the knowledge of the adolescent girls on problems of early marriage. which consists of 25 multiple choice questions with four options among which one is the correct answer. It was prepared covering the various aspects regarding problems of early marriage, which includes early marriage-causes, problems, teenage pregnancy, induced abortion, unsafe abortion ,complications, diet and marriage Act. The correct answer is scored as one and wrong answer is scored as’ 0’. Total score is 25.

 

PART-III:

Five point Likert scale was used to assess the attitude of the problems of early marriage, which consists of 15 statements .It has 10 positive statements and 5 negative statements. Total score was 75.

VALIDITY:

The validity of the tool was obtained from 4 experts in the field of community health nursing and one medical expert. The expert’s suggestions were incorporated and modified.

 

RELIABILITY:

·      The reliability of the self administered questionnaire was established by testing of stability and internal consistency. Stability was assessed by test retest method using karl pearsons coefficient formula (r=0.93), Internal consistency was assessed by split half method r value (r=0.95).

·      The reliability of the attitude five point, Likert scale was computed by testing for stability and internal consistency. Stability was assessed by test retest method using karl pearsons coefficient formula (r=0.98). Internal consistency was assessed by split half method r value (r=0.96) which was found to be reliable.

 

PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS:

The proposed study was conducted after approval by the ethical committee. Before conducting the study written consent was taken from the Municipal commissioner. Oral consent from each sample was obtained before starting data collection. Confidentiality and privacy was maintained throughout the study.

 

DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE:

The study was conducted in Nanchiyampalayam, Dharapuram. The data were collected for a period of 5 weeks. Before conducting the study, written consent was obtained from the Municipal commissioner, Dharapuram. The oral consent was obtained from each participant. A total number of samples 100 those who met inclusive criteria were selected by using purposive sampling technique. The investigator explained the study purpose and rapport was established with the participants. The demographic data were collected and pre test was conducted. The pre test knowledge was assessed by using self administered questionnaire for 25 minutes and attitude was assessed by using five point likert scale for 15 minutes for each group.

 

On the same day IEC package was given. In this study, information were conveyed through video clips which includes meaning, causes and problems of early marriage for 10 minutes. Video drama which includes early marriage problems and act for 10minutes. The slides were used to explain causes and problems of early marriage in the form of story for 10 minutes by using laptop. Education was given by using flipcharts which contains 10 charts including definition, reasons, problems, complications and marriage act for 20 minutes. Before giving education lesson plan was prepared. Education was given using flip chart. In communication the researcher discussed with samples regarding prevention of early marriage by using opinion questionnaire for 10 minutes. The total IEC was given to 17 groups, each group having 5-6 adolescent girls for a duration of 1 hour.

 

The post test was done on the 7^th day from the day of teaching by using self administered questionnaire and five point likert scale. The same procedure was continued and obtained data from 100 samples. Collected data were tabulated and analysed by using statistical package.

 

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Regarding Age in completed years, majority 41 (41%) of adolescents were in the age group of 14 years, 16(16%) were in the age group of 15years, 18 (18%) were in the age group of 16years and 25(25%) were in the age group of 17years. Regarding religion, majority 87(87%) of adolescents were Hindus, 9(9%) were Christians, 3 (3%) of adolescents were Muslims and 1 (1%) of adolescents were others. Regarding education, majority 38(38%) of adolescents were studying 9^th std, 14(14%) were studying 10^th, 25 (25%) were studying 11^th std and 23(23%) were studying 12^th std. Regarding type of family, that 86 (86%) of adolescent girls living in nuclear family and 14(14%) of girls living in joint family.

 

Regarding education of the father, majority 39 (39 %) of adolescents no formal education, 32(32%) of them High school education, 19 (19%) of them higher secondary education, and 10 (10%) of them Graduates. Regarding education of the mother, majority 41 (41 %) of mothers no formal education, 36(36%) of mothers high school education, 13(13%) of mothers higher secondary education and 10(10%) of them graduate. Regarding family income, majority 37(37%) of adolescents belongs to the income group below Rs 3000, were as 31 (31%) of were earning Rs 3001-5000,however 13(13%) belongs to the income group of Rs 5001-7000,and 19(19%) belongs to the income group above 7000 per month.

 

Regarding number of girl children in their family, 42 (42%) had 1 and 2 children’s, 11(11%) of adolescents had 3 children and 5 (5%) of adolescents had above 3 children. Regarding mother’s age at marriage, majority 41 (41%) of mothers married between 18-20 years, 39 (39%) of mothers married above 20 years, 18 (18%) of mothers married between 16-17 years, and 2(2%) of them married between 14-15 years.

 

Regarding Health information resource, majority 52 (52%) of the adolescents had health information from Television, were as 9 (9%) had health information from Radio, 16(16%) of adolescents had health information from Newspaper and 23 (23%) of had from others.

Table: 1 Comparison of Mean, standard deviation and paired‘t’ value of pre test and  post test level of knowledge on problems of early marriage among adolescent girls.                          n=100

                                                S-Significant                                                 DF=99                                                    P<0.05

 

Table 1 showed that the mean pre test scores of knowledge is 10.41 (SD±3.86) and post test mean score is 18.2(SD ±2.72) respectively. The post test mean score was higher than pre test mean score. Mean difference was 7.79. The paired‘t’ test value was 8.85 which was significant at P< 0.05 level, which showed that IEC was effective .

 

Table: 2 Comparison of Mean, standard deviation and paired‘t’ value of pre test and post test level of attitude on problems of early marriage among adolescent girls .                                                                                                                                                            n=100

                                        S-Significant                                                                             df=99                                                 P<0.05

 

Table 2 showed that the mean pre test scores of attitude is 47.13(SD±10) and post test mean score is 64.2(SD± 5.3) respectively. The post test mean score was higher than pre test mean score. Mean difference was 17.07.The paired ‘t’ test value was 8.33. Which was significant at P< 0.05 level, which showed that IEC was effective.

 

Table: 3 Correlation between post-test knowledge and attitude on problems of early  marriage among adolescent girls                    n=100

S. NO	Variables	Mean scores	Standard deviation	Coefficient of correlation	Table value	Inference
1.   2.	Post test Knowledge Post test Attitude	18.2   64.2	2.72   5.3	0.56	0.197	S

                    S-Significant                                                                   df=98                                                                                      P<0.05

 

Table 3 depicts that the post test mean and standard deviation scores for knowledge were 18.2(SD ±2.72) and the mean and standard deviation scores for attitude were 64.2(SD± 5.3) respectively. There was positive correlation (r=0.56) between post test knowledge and attitude on problems of early marriage among adolescent girls.

 

CONCLUSION:

The present study showed that the IEC programme was effective in increasing the knowledge and attitude regarding problems of early marriage among adolescent at Nanchiyampalayam, Dharapuram. The study findings revealed that paired‘t’ value was 8.85, attitude was 8.33 which was significant at p<0.05 level. There was positive correlation (r=0.56) between posttest knowledge and attitude scores of adolescent girls regarding problems of early marriage. There by adolescent girls can apply the knowledge effectively, which helps them to identify the problems of early marriage improves the well being of adolescent girls.

 

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING:

Nursing Service:

·        Community health nurse can organize mass education campaigns to create awareness regarding early marriage.

·        Nurse can provide counselling to the parents regarding importance of preventing early marriage.

 

Nursing Education:

·        Community health nurse can conduct the school health programs regarding problems of early marriage among all adolescent girls.

·        Nurse educator can organize and encourage the nursing students to celebrate the ending early marriage day and conduct rally to create awareness among general population in community settings.

 

Nursing Administration:

·        Community health nurse can organize an awareness programme by involving local NGO’S / self help groups regarding early marriage and its problems.

·        Nurse administrator have more responsibility as supervisors on creating awareness among adolescent girls regarding problems of early marriage by facilitating free distribution of pamphlet, booklet, handouts, posters and showing documentary films to community peoples.

 

Nursing Research:

·        This study can be effectively utilized by the emerging researchers for their reference purpose .

·        This study can be a baseline for further studies to build upon.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1.      A survey study can be conducted to identify the number and characteristics of the early marriage in an areas.

2.      Descriptive study conducted in rural areas regarding prevention of early marriage.

3.      Comparative study can be conducted in rural and urban community regarding prevention of early marriage.

4.      Similar study can be replicated on a large sample there by findings can be generalized by large population.

 

LIMITATION:

The researcher found difficulty to gather the school students because of their special classes and tuitions.

 

REFERENCES:

1.     http//gmaster unicef.org

2.     Wongs.,(2009). Essentials of pediatric nursing. (8^thed). Missouri; Elsevier publication. Pp 514,518-520.

3.     Gulani .K. K., (2006). Community health nursing. (1^st ed). Delhi; Kumar publications house. Pp.184.

4.     Lata K.(2009).Early marriage.Social welfare.Pp.11-12.

5.     Manivannan.C.,(2010). Text book of pediatric nursing. (2^nd ed). Bangalore; Emmess medical publishers. Pp30.

6.     Park.K.,(2011) .Text book of preventive and social medicine (21^sted). Jabalpur; Banasridas bhanot publishers. Pp 133-135

7.     http://.www.times of india.com/

8.     http://holisticonline.com

 

 

 

Received on 29.03.2017       Modified on 11.04.2017

Accepted on 01.05.2017       ©A&V Publications All right reserved