BISMILLAH, SANA AHSAN, AYYAZ AHMED, MASOOMA BATOOL, UME AMMARA, HADIA RAZZAQ, ABRAR HUSSAIN AZAD
DOI: https://doi.org/Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the level of maternal education and to relate it with the different practices of child care and development.
Study design and setting:
This cross-sectional study of 180 mothers from Mirpur, AJK was carried out from September 2023 to February 2024 in Mohiuddin Teaching Hospital. After obtaining informed consent, a self-explanatory, valid, and reliable questionnaire was filled out in the presence of an investigator.
Methodology: The responses were analyzed using the student’s t-test, one-way ANOVA and linear regression analysis by using SPSS 21. The p-value of <0.05 was considered significant with a confidence interval of 95%.
Results: There was a statistically significant positive correlation between maternal education and family planning (p = 0.022*), baby’s breastfeeding (p = 0.029*), water introduction practices (p=0.017*), diaper use (p=0.001*), bathing water temperature (p = 0.002*), playing with the children (p= 0.04*) and involvement in child’ education (p= 0.000**).
Conclusion: Maternal education significantly influences maternal and child health practices, adherence to feeding guidelines hygiene standards and better awareness of healthcare practices. Additionally, maternal education positively impacts parental involvement in children's education, potentially enhancing academic outcomes and fostering child development.
