Study On Knowledge Of Antenatal Mothers Regarding Cord Blood Banking

An exploratory study was conducted to assess the Knowledge of Antenatal Mothers regarding Cord Blood Banking in a Selected Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab. Objectives of the study are to assess knowledge of antenatal mothers regarding cord blood banking to find the relationship of knowledge with following variables: age, educational status, occupational status, family income, place of living, gravida, type of family, type of medical services, source of information, to find out the deficit areas in knowledge and to prepare pamphlet for promotion of knowledge regarding cord blood banking of antenatal mothers. The conceptual framework of the study was based on a “three phase theory” described by Fitts and Posner (1967). A non experimental research design was adopted for the study. Structured knowledge questionnaire regarding cord blood banking was prepared after extensive review of literature and expert’s opinion. The tool used had two sections, part one was to obtain demographic data. The second section had 3 areas with total 26 items on knowledge regarding cord blood banking. A try out of tool was done on 4 subjects. Pilot study was done on 20 subjects. The study accessible population was antenatal mothers admitted as well as visiting antenatal outpatient department in the selected hospital of Ludhiana, Punjab. 200 antenatal mothers were selected by purposive sampling technique. Data was collected from antenatal mothers by structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics and presented through tables and figures. Findings revealed that majority 55% of antenatal mothers had average knowledge regarding cord blood banking and 26.5% had below average knowledge. Mean percentage of knowledge score was highest (45.63%) in ‘Advantages and disadvantages’ and least in ‘General information’ (27.37%). Educational status, occupational status, family income were found to be significant factors related to knowledge of antenatal mothers, while other variables were found non significant related to knowledge. Majority of antenatal mothers had average knowledge regarding cord blood banking. Hence it is concluded that there is need to enhance the knowledge of antenatal mothers by means of pamphlet.