Effectiveness of a Structured Teaching Program on the Knowledge of Self-care Behavior among HIV Infected Women Attending a Selected Voluntary Organization

Abstract

Objectives To assess the knowledge of self-care behavior, identify high-risk behavior among HIV infected women and evaluate the effectiveness of structured teaching program on the knowledge of HIV infected women regarding self-care behavior. Methods The research approach for the study was that of an evaluative one with one group pretest post-test design. The sample size considered for the study was 40 HIV infected women. The sampling technique used for the study was purposive sampling which is a type of nonprobability sampling. The tool used for gathering relevant data was a structured questionnaire on knowledge of self care behavior among HIV infected women. Results Analysis of data was done on the basis of objectives and hypotheses. Data analysis of level of knowledge revealed that during the pretest minimum 5(12.5%) of the HIV infected women had good knowledge of self-care behavior, 28(70%) had average knowledge, while 7(17.5%) had poor knowledge. It was worth noting that only a minimum of 2(5%) women had poor level of positive thinking towards self-care while majority of 21(52.5%) had good level of positive thinking. While assessing the effectiveness of the structured teaching program on self care behavior, the pretest and post-test data analysis revealed the mean post-test score (57 ± 4.7) was higher than the mean pretest score (39 ± 7.7). Analysis of variance showed no homogeneity in the scores of subjects in the different areas of knowledge of self-care behavior and indicated more scope for knowledge gain in the area of health promoting behavior. Conclusion Based on the analyses, the following inference was drawn. There was evident increase in the knowledge scores in all the areas included in the study after administration of structured teaching program. Thus it was inferred that the structured teaching program was effective and while the gain in knowledge score is commendable, there is still room for improvement.