Effect of Health Education on Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Maternal Nutrition and Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices among Young Pregnant Mothers Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital in Chennai: An Interventional Study

Background: Maternal nutrition and infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices play a critical role in ensuring positive maternal and child health outcomes. Inadequate knowledge, poor attitudes, and suboptimal feeding practices contribute to malnutrition and adverse health effects. Health education interventions can improve maternal awareness and behavior, leading to better nutritional outcomes.  Objective: The Objective of this study is to assess Knowledge, Attitude and Practice regarding Maternal Nutrition and Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices and to evaluate the effect of Health Education on Maternal nutrition and Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices among Young Antenatal mothers attending Antenatal OPD at a Tertiary care Hospital.  Methods: This Interventional Study was conducted from August 2022 to October 2022 in three phases at Antenatal OPD, Government Kasturba Gandhi Hospital, Triplicane, Chennai District. The study group includes 33 Young pregnant women between the age group of 21-24 years and Gestational weeks between 12 to 36 weeks attending OP department. Baseline data was collected on the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of young pregnant women on Maternal Nutrition and Infant and Young Child Feeding practices using a semi structured, interviewer administered pre-interventional questionnaire Heath Education intervention done for 3 weeks. In the First week lectures were conducted, second week videos and pictures and in the third week demonstration was done. Post Interventional assessment of the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of young pregnant women on Maternal Nutrition and Infant and Young Child Feeding practices using a semi structured, interviewer administered post-interventional questionnaire.  Results: The study analyzed pretest and posttest scores for knowledge (K score), attitude (A score), and practice (P score) among 33 participants. Additionally, dietary intake (total calorie and total protein) was assessed before and after an intervention.It was found that Health education significantly improves knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to maternal nutrition and IYCF practices. Conclusion:  The health education intervention significantly improved knowledge, attitudes, and practices among young pregnant mothers.  Dietary intake (calories & protein) also improved significantly.  Statistical tests confirmed that all changes were highly significant (p < 0.001).  These findings support the need for structured health education programs in antenatal care settings. These findings align with previous studies highlighting the effectiveness of educational interventions in improving maternal nutrition knowledge and practices. However, sustainability of these changes requires continuous reinforcement through antenatal care programs.