INTRODUCTION:

Children are the inheritance from God. They are like clay in the potter’s hand. Handled with love and care, they become something beautiful or else they will break.¹Every child should have tender loving care and sense of security from parents. The mother is more responsible for the integrated development of a child.²Preschool children are of paramount importance in determining the future behaviors of children. Preschool behavior problems are now being recognized as clear indicator of difficulties that may persist into later childhood. Recent evidence by WHO indicates that by 2020 childhood psychiatric disorders will raise over 50%.4 it may be due to genetic, psychological or environmental factors of the child.⁴

A study was conducted on behavior problems among preschool children in New Delhi revealed that Out of 200 Preschool children (aged 3-6 years), 44 (22%) had behavior problems. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health Report states that during the past two decades, there have been marked changes in inpatient services for preschool children with behavioral problems.³ some disorders are more common than others, and conditions range from mild to severe. The common behavioral problems identified in children includes Habit problems, Problems of eating, Sleep problems, Speech problems, Scholastic problems, Psychosexual problems, Personality problems and Psycho social problems.6 Often, a child will be having more than one disorder.⁴

Research suggests that parent has an important role to play in helping children to become adjusted and that the 1st few months and years of a child’s life are especially important in establishing patterns of emotional, cognitive and social functioning which will in turn influence the child’s future development and in particular, their mental health. Parenting programmes may therefore have a role to play in improving the emotional and behavioral adjustment of infants and toddlers.⁵

NEED FOR STUDY:

A study was conducted to assess the knowledge regarding behavioral problems of school children among mothers at Patteswaram rural community in Thanjavur District. A cross-sectional descriptive design was adopted for the study. 100 mothers were selected by using purposive sampling technique. All participants were given a questionnaire on behavioral problems administered 10 minutes to complete. The findings revealed that knowledge of mother shows that 61% of the mother had inadequate knowledge 37% of mothers had moderately, 2% of mother had adequate knowledge on behavioral problem. In conclusion mothers are having very poor knowledge regarding behavioral problems. The study findings reveal significance of behavioral deviation of a need to educate parents on behavioral of children.⁷

Mothers have a vital role in moulding the behavior of the children. Homes are one of the first places where kid’s behavior and future educational success is shaped. A mother can imply positive attitude to the children by identifying negativism and behavioral problems. The positive reinforcement will eliminate the behavioral problems like kleptomania. Overall Child’s self-esteem could be lift up because it could create ambitions in their minds for future academic success.⁶

The investigator in his own life experience has witnessed and experienced the behavioral problem of school going children. Investigator felt that behavioral problems of children of rural mothers is more than the children of urban mothers, this has motivated the investigator to take up this study.

TITLE OF THE STUDY:

“A Comparative Study to Assess the Knowledge of Mothers regarding Behavioural Problems of school going Children in selected Urban and Rural Areas.

OBJECTIVES:

· To assess the knowledge of mothers regarding behavioural problems of school going children

· To compare the knowledge of mothers regarding behavioural problems of school going children

· To find out the association between the selected socio-demographic variables and knowledge of mothers regarding behavioral problem of the school going children in selected urban and rural areas.

HYPOTHESIS:

H₁ There will be significant association between knowledge of mothers regarding behavioural problems of school going children and selected demographic variables.

H₀ There will be no significant association between knowledge of mothers regarding behavioural problems of school going children and selected demographic variables.

METHODOLOGY:

A Descriptive co-relational study was conducted to compare the knowledge of mothers on behavioral problems of school going children in selected urban and rural areas. Ethical clearance was obtained from the ward counselors of Malshiras and Gram Panchayat member of Akluj. A total 120 mothers were selected, comprising with 60 mothers from rural area and 60 mothers from urban slum area were selected. Cluster random sampling technique was used to select the area and simple random sampling technique was used to select the sample. Data was collected through interview with the help of structured interview technique for one month. The mothers were interviewed from 9 am to 5 pm, based on their availability and convenience. Daily 10 people were interviewed. While explaining in simple terms cleared necessary questions. The investigator explained the purpose of the study to the subjects, and co-operation was obtained from the subjects and it made easier for the investigator to gather the necessary information. Respondents’ responses were recorded simultaneously during interview.

RESULT:

Section –I Demographic variables of mothers:

· According to age, in the study majority of samples i.e. among the rural mothers majority 19(35%) of mothers were between 25-30 years of age group, and minimum 10(16.67%) between 35-40 years. Among the urban mothers, majority 35(58.33%) of mothers were belonging to the age group of 20-25 years, and minimum 5(8.33%) between 30-35 years.

· According to educational status Among rural mothers majority 25(41.66%) of mothers were illiterate and minimum 3(5%) mothers were post graduation holders. Where as in urban area (11.67%) of mothers were illiterates and and 2(3.33%) of mothers were postgraduates.

· According to occupation among rural mothers most of the mothers were labor i.e. 28(41.66%) and 6 (10%) of mothers were employed. where as in urban area half of the total mothers were housewives, 30(50%) and 5(8.33%) of mothers were employed.

· According to religion in rural area huge i.e. (88.33 %) of mothers belong to Hindu religion and minimum 7 (11.67%) of mothers belong to the Muslim community, Where as in urban area more than half of the subjects that were 34(56.67%) of mothers were belonging to Hindu religion and minimum 10 (16.67%) of mothers were to the Muslim community.

· Distribution of mothers by their family monthly income, i.e.in rural area majority 21(35%) of mothers had family monthly income RS3001/- to Rs 5000/ and 7(11.67%) of mothers had the family monthly income of less than Rs 1000/-, but in urban area maximum 4(6.67%) of mothers had the family monthly income of Rs 7001/- and above. and minimum one tenth of the mothers were having the income of the family less than Rs 1000/-

Section–II Mothers’ Knowledge regarding Behavioural Problems of school going Children:

This part deals with frequency distribution of mothers’ knowledge regarding behavioural problems of school going children. The data were obtained through questionnaire. The tool consisted 52 knowledge related items and they were designed as multiple-choice questions with four options that had correct answer and carry one mark, the total score for items as 52. In this study, categorization of knowledge scores was done in three groups. 0 – 26 Low (0 – 50%), 27 – 39 Average (51 – 75%), 40 and Above High (76% and above)

Table no-1 Categorization of Mothers based on their Knowledge regarding Behavioural Problems of school going Children N = 120

Categories	Rural		Urban
Categories	F	%	F	%
High Knowledge	01	1.67	07	11.67
Average Knowledge	35	58.33	39	65
Low Knowledge	24	40	14	23.33
Total	60	100	60	100
Mean Score	26.63		29.37
S.D.	6.06		8.63

Table no-1 revealed that the categorization of mothers based on their knowledge regarding behavioural problems of school going children. Among the sample, in rural area more than half of the total subjects that were 35(58.33%) had average knowledge, 24(40%) of the mothers had low knowledge, and only 01(1.67%) of mothers had high knowledge. The mean and S.D. of rural sample is (`x =26.63, S.D. = 6.06).

Whereas in urban area more than half of the total subject i.e. 39(65%) of mothers had average knowledge, 14(23.33%) of mothers had low knowledge and 07(11.67%) of mothers had high knowledge. The mean and S.D. of urban sample is (x = 29.37, S.D. = 8.63). It is clear from the above Table that Urban sample is having higher percentage of knowledge when compared to rural sample; it may be because of education and exposure to health awareness campaigns.

Table 2: Comparison of Knowledge Level of Mothers in Urban and Rural Area.

Categories	Rural	Urban
Mean score	26.63	29.37
Standard deviation	6.06	8.63
Number of subjects	60	60

Table no-2 revealed that comparison of knowledge level of mother in urban and rural. Z-test was done to compare the knowledge level of mothers regarding behavioural problems of school going children in Urban and rural area (Z = 2.01). The critical value or ratio at 5% level of significance for the two tailed test from the tables = 1.96. The critical value range = -1.96 to +1.96. The calculated value (2.01) > the critical value 1.96. Hence the calculated value lies beyond the critical value range, therefore a null hypothesis was rejected and an alternative hypothesis (H₁) was accepted.

Section – III: Association between knowledge of mothers with selected demographic variables

Table 3 Association of Mothers’ Knowledge regarding Behavioural Problems of school going Children with selected Socio- demographic Variables. N=120

Group	Rural			Urban
Group	Df	χ²	Level of Significant	df	χ²	Level of Significant
Age	2	8.96	*	1	3.07	NS
Education	1	10.28	*	1	5.29	*
Occupation	1	6.42	*	1	0.13	NS
Religion	1	0.33	NS	1	0.33	NS
Family monthly income	1	0.711	NS	1	0.28	NS
Family Type	1	8.59	*	1	2.20	NS
Marital status	1	3.64	NS	1	3.73	NS
Total number of children in the family	1	7.54	*	1	0.91	NS

*P<0.05, NS = Not significant, In Rural area, the demographic variables like age, education, occupation, and Total number of children in the family had shown significant association with mothers’ knowledge regarding behavioural problems of school going children.

In Urban area, only one variable that is education had shown a significant association with mothers’ knowledge regarding behavioural problems of school going children.

CONCLUSION:

More than three fifth 39(65%) of mothers were having average knowledge in urban area, 14(23.33%) of mothers had low knowledge and 07(11.67%) of mothers had high knowledge. whereas in rural area 35(58.33%) of mothers had average knowledge, 24(40%) of mothers had low knowledge, and 01(1.67%) of mothers had high knowledge.

Study concluded that research hypothesis (H₁) was partially accepted this indicates there was significant association between knowledge of mothers regarding behavioural problems of school going children and demographic variables of mothers in selected urban and rural areas.

REFERENCES:

1. Vijayalakshmi K, Kumar CV, Rajamanickam H, Cherian A. Child rearing practices and psychological problems in children. Nursing and Midwifery Research Journal 2007 Apr; 3(2):49-51.

2. Datta P. Pediatric Nursing. 2nd edition. New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd; 2009.p.1, 186-192. [3].

3. Perera H, Gunatunge C. Screening for mental health problems in urban preschool children- A pilot study. Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health 2004; 33 (2):39-42

4. Rai S, Malik SC, Sharma D. Behavior problems among preschool children. Indian Pediatrics 1993; 30(4):475-8.

5. Diane K. Newma J. Behavior problems in children are an important social, educational, and health issue. J Dev Behav Pediatr 2009 Oct; 21(5):356-70.

6. Statistics about Kleptomania. [Serial online] (cited on 2010, may1); Available from URL: http://www.cureresearch.com/ k/kleptomania/basics.htm

7. Manivannan D, Srinivasa G, Francis Moses R. A Study to Assess the Knowledge Regarding Behavioral Problems of School Children Among Mothers. Journal of Nursing and Health Science. 2017 December; 6(6): 13-6.

Received on 23.11.2020 Modified on 06.12.2020

Int. J. of Advances in Nur. Management. 2021; 9(1):53-56.

DOI: 10.5958/2454-2652.2021.00015.9

Mean Score

Group