Saima Ali, Tahir Chaudry, Quratul Ain Naqvi.
Effect of maternal literacy on child health: myth or reality.
Ann Pak Inst Med Sci Jan ;7(2):100-3.

Objective: To compare the child health of the children born to literate and non-literate mothers in terms of their nutritional grade, vaccination status, personal hygiene and social development. Study Design: It was a comparative study Study Setting and Duration: This study was conducted at Kuwait Teaching Hospital, Peshawar Medical College, from February 01, 2008 to June 30, 2008. Methods: A total of 400 mothers were included as key informants along with the children for child health status assessment. We used non-probability convenient sampling technique for selection of the subjects. Sample was divided into two equal groups of 200 each: Group \'A\' Mothers who were not able to read headings of local news paper and Group \'B\' Mothers who could read headings of local news paper. Data was collected in a Performa and was analyzed by using SPSS version 17. Results: The mean age of Group A (non-literate mothers) was 26 years (Range 14-45), while mean age of Group B (Literate mothers) was 25 years (18-35). Significant difference was observed in the favor of literate mothers regarding the issue of vaccination. Regarding the nutrition status of children in term of weight, it was found that in group A 156 children (78%) were below the 50 percentile for normal population while in group B, 64 % (129 children) were below 50 percentile. (p <0.005). Regarding the height percentile in term of nutrition, it was found that 155 (77.5%) of children in group A while 121 children (60.5%) in group B were below the standard 50th percentile (p=<0.005). There was significant delay in development of children in Group A (non-literate mothers). Conclusion: There is strong and consistent correlation between maternal education and child health. Educated mother\'s child shows better development in terms of fine motor and speech.

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