ASSESMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF MOTHERS ON ADEQUATE SUNLIGHT EXPOSURE TO INFANTS IN WOLKITE HEALTH CENTER, GURAGE ZONE, SNNPR, ETHIOPIA, 2021 G.C

Abstract

Background: Regular and adequate sunlight exposure serves an important purpose in human body and has health benefit for infant, one of the biggest benefit is it helps the body to produce vitamin D that helps the body to absorb calcium which in turn which strengthens of bones and teeth the immune system work efficiently and the body is protected from diseases. Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of mothers, identifying gaps and creating awareness of mothers regarding proper exposure of sunlight has a paramount importance. It enables them to understand and save their children from the major public health problems such as Rickets. Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of adequate sunlight exposure of infants among mothers attending wolkite Health Center. Methods: An institutional based descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed from September to October, 2014 E.C. The study population was sampled from mothers who have infants which were drawn from the source population by determining the sample size. The sample size was calculated using a single population proportion formula and the estimated sample size was 367. Regarding sampling, first, we selected one health centres among all health