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DOI: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijpen.2454.9126.4218.8

Abstract

 Mobile phones have become an almost essential part of daily life. The Internet is a global linking of computers that allows information transfer. Internet is being integrated as part of our every day’s life. Nearly, 243 million adolescents live in India as per the UNICEF report. Statement of the problem: A study to assess the level of knowledge and attitude on effects of mobile phones and internet usage among mothers of adolescents at selected community, Kancheepuram District. Objectives: To assess and correlate the level of knowledge and attitude on effects of mobile phones and internet usage among mothers of adolescents and To associate the level of knowledge and attitude on effects of mobile phones and internet usage among mothers of adolescents with their demographic variables. Materials and Methods: Research approach was quantitative and research design was descriptive research design. 100 samples who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected by non-probability convenient sampling technique. The tool used for the data  collection comprises of 3 sections: Section A - Demographic variables; Section B -A structured questionnaire on knowledge to assess the effects of mobile phones and internet usage among the mothers of adolescents, formulated by the investigators. It comprises of 15 knowledge questionnaires and Section C - A structured 5 point Likert scale statements to assess the level of attitude on effects of mobile phones and internet usage among the mothers of adolescents formulated by the investigators. Data collected were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The analysis reveals that 37 (37%) mothers of adolescents have inadequate knowledge; 54 (54%) have moderate  knowledge; 9 (9%) have adequate knowledge. The level of attitude among mothers of adolescents reveals that 10 (10%) have poor attitude; 72 (72%) have fair attitude; 18 (18%) have good attitude. The analysis depicts that there is no co – relation between level of knowledge and attitude on effects of mobile phones and internet usage among mothers of adolescents. There is significant association found between the “Educational Qualification and Occupation of Mother” with knowledge and there was no significant association between the other demographic variables. The analysis reveals that the demographic variables are not significant with level of attitude and hence there is no significant association with demographic variables. Conclusion: The study findings concludes that majority mothers of adolescents 54 (54%) have moderate knowledge. The majority mothers of adolescents 72 (72%) have fair attitude. The nurse administrator should plan to improve the academic performance and to prevent physical, psychological and social problems in adolescents. 

 

Corresponding Author : M. Ramya Rathi Devi, Associate Professor & Head, Department of Pediatric Nursing, SRM College of Nursing, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Kancheepuram District, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 603203, India.