EFFECTIVENESS OF DISCHARGE PLAN ON KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE REGARDING POSTNATAL CARE AMONG POSTNATAL MOTHERS

Abstract

Postnatal period consists of six weeks after childbirth which is the time when both mother and baby needs special care to maintain the mother and baby health and to prevent complications. Effective care promotes the wellbeing of mother and baby so it is the best time to educate mother regarding postnatal care. Aim of study was to evaluate the effectiveness of discharge plan on knowledge and practice regarding postnatal care of postnatal mothers. Quasi experimental study was conducted among 56 postnatal mothers selected by total enumerative sampling technique from a Community Health Centre of Dehradun. On first day pre knowledge was done by structured knowledge questionnaire through interview and discharge plan was administered. On third day (Before discharge) post assessment of knowledge was done and practice (First assessment) was checked by using self-reported practice checklist. After seven days second assessment of practice was done during follow up in OPD and third assessment of practice was done through phone after fourteen days. Result shows that mean post information score (29.5±0.68) of postpartum mothers was more than the pre information score (19.85±2.91) and mean difference was 9.65 which was significant at p<0.05. With every assessment of practice, the mean score was increasing significantly.  Findings concludes that discharge plan was successful to enhance knowledge and practice of postpartum moms regarding postpartum care