A Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of a Computer Assisted Teaching Programme on Knowledge of Junior Health Assistant Females Regarding Preterm Labour and Low Birth Weight in Selected PHCs of Holenarasipura

Abstract

Background: Pregnancy and childbirth represent significant milestones in a woman’s life. The birth of a healthy infant with appropriate birth weight and after a full-term gestational period is a source of immense joy for families. However, when an infant is born prematurely defined as delivery before 37 completed weeks of gestation it often results in considerable emotional and psychological stress for the family. Preterm labour remains a major clinical concern, occurring in approximately 12% of pregnancies worldwide.

Objectives:  The purpose of the study was to evaluate female junior health assistants' initial understanding of low birth weight and premature labor. It also aimed to assess how well a computer-assisted instruction software raised students' knowledge levels. The study also looked at the relationship between certain demographic factors and pre-test and post-test knowledge levels.

Methods: A one-group pre-test and post-test design was used in a quantitative, evaluative research methodology. Age group, religion, general educational status, professional qualifications, family type, area of residence, monthly income, employment status, total work experience, and sources of information were among the sociodemographic variables that were recorded using a structured knowledge questionnaire. Fifty female junior health assistants were selected from Holenarasipura's primary health centers using a convenience selection technique. Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used to analyze the gathered data.

Results: The study's results showed that the mean knowledge score rose from 27.86 in the pre-test to 40.06 in the post-test, with a mean difference 

of 12.20. The pre-test and post-test knowledge scores differed statistically significantly, according to the computed t-value (29.24). As a result, the study hypothesis (H₁) was approved. Pre-test knowledge scores were found to be statistically significantly correlated with some sociodemographic factors, such as overall educational status, family type, place of residence, and work status, but not with other variables. In a similar vein, post-test knowledge scores showed a statistically significant correlation with professional education, family type, place of residence, monthly income, and kind of employment, but not with the other variables. As a result, the second research hypothesis (H₂) was approved.

Conclusion: The results of the study showed that the computer-assisted training program was successful in improving the female junior health assistants' understanding of all facets of low birth weight and preterm labor.