Comparison of the Effectiveness of Conventional Teaching Programme versus Information Booklet on Knowledge Regarding Prevention and Management of Swine Flu among Rural Population

Background: Swine flu is a major cause for concern among the common people of India and needless to say it has created fear across the various strata of the society.

Aim and Objectives: To assess and compare the effectiveness of conventional teaching programme (CTP) versus information booklet (IB) regarding prevention and management of swine flu in terms of knowledge among rural population residing at selected rural areas of Ambala, Haryana.

Materials and Methods: A quantitative research approach with Quasi-experimental: pre-test, post-test design was used for the study. The sample consisted of 400 rural population (200 in CTP group and 200 IB group) was selected using Covenience sampling tehnique from villages Mullana and Sohana respectively. Pre test was administered by using structured knowledge questionnaires on day one followed by administration of CTP and IB to both the groups. On 14th day the post test was conducted using the same structured knowledge questionnaires. The collected data was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: Findings revealed that there was a significant difference between the mean post test and pre test knowledge scores of rural population in CTP group and IB group with the paired “t” values of {“t”(199) = 44.50 (p<0.05)} and {“t”(199) = 60.96 (p<0.05)} respectively at 0.05 level of significance. Also there was significant association of knowledge score with gender, educational status, occupation, religion, sources of information both in CTP and IB groups.

Conclusion: CTP and IB both were effective with IB being more effective than CTP in enhancing the knowledge of rural population regarding prevention and management of swine flu.