Impact of Behaviour Change Communication among Pregnant Women Regarding Knowledge of Low Birth Weight Infants’ Susceptibility to Certain Morbidities

Objective: To assess the impact of Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) Package among pregnant women regarding correct knowledge of susceptibility of the low birth weight neonate to certain morbidities.
Study Design: A community based intervention study.
Place and Duration of Study: Field practices areas of Urban Health Training Center Department of Community Medicine, JNMCH, AMU Aligarh (UP) India, between September 2008 to August 2009.
Participants: 200 pregnant women (100 pregnant women from each intervention and non-intervention groups) were enrolled.
Sampling: Purposive sampling method.
Statistical Analyses: Data analysed with Epi Info version 3.5.1. Significant difference was determined using Chi- square test. The impact of Behaviour Change Communication was assessed using relative risk and difference was accepted significant at more than 95% (p value <0.05). Intervention and non-intervention were also compared after 7th and 28th of delivery days.
Results: Before BCC package intervention, there was no significant difference (p-value>0.05) between two groups regarding correct knowledge about susceptibility of low birth weight infants to different conditions. Due to impact of BCC Intervention, knowledge regarding susceptibility of LBW baby to infection was increased to two times. Knowledge regarding susceptibility of LBW baby to yellow palm and sole was increased to four and half times. Knowledge regarding susceptibility of LBW baby to feeding difficulty was increased to seven times and knowledge regarding susceptibility of LBW baby to hypoglycemia was increased to 4.75 times. Knowledge of mother regarding susceptibility of LBW baby to infection, yellow palm and sole, feeding difficulty and hypoglycemia were increased significantly (p-value <0.05) in the intervention group due to impact of the BCC package on 7th day of follow up and was maintained on the 28th day after delivery.
Conclusion: There was significant improvement in pregnant women regarding correct knowledge about susceptibility of the low birth weight neonate to different conditions.