Abstract

Introduction: Nature massage babies in the womb, where contractions rhythmically squeeze and push, providing stimulation to the baby, studies show that more the babies are touched, nurtured and tenderly massaged, the happier and more balanced they grow.2 Massaging the baby helps to fulfill their emotional, psychological and physical needs. It enhances the bonding, improves sleep patterns, stimulates, circulation, improves digestion, facilitates food absorption results faster weight gain and by constant massaging, the infant level of stress hormones reduces as a result it improves immune function.4 Objectives: To assess the pre weight among low birth weight neonates to olive oil massage in experimental and control group; to compare the pre and post test weight among low birth weight neonates to olive oil massage in experimental and control group; to find out the significant association between olive oil massage among low birth weight neonates with selected demographic variables in experimental and control group. Methodology: The research design used was a quasi experimental design. The samples for the study were chosen using quota sampling technique, 20 in experimental group and 20 in control group. Background factors of each sample were collected by interview and observation method, weight was recorded by electronic weighing machine. The setting was Government Kamla Nehru Hospital, Bhopal. Olive oil massage was done for 10 days in experimental group. Pre and post weight was recorded. Data obtained were edited, organized, analyzed by using SPSS (Version 10) and interpreted by descriptive and inferential statistics.2 Results: Gathered data were analyzed based on the objectives using inferential and descriptive statistics with SPSS (Version 10) package Level of probability <0.05 considerd to be significant. There was a significant increase in weight after olive oil massage among low birth weight neonates t = -11.964 (P=0.001) in experimental group. The post test mean weight among low birth weight neonates in experimental and control group was significantly high t–7.035 (P=0.001) was significant.4 There was no significant association between background factors on mother and neonates and weight gain among low birth weight neonates in experimental group (P > .005). The t value=4.462 (p=0.140) which was not significant.4. Conclusion: The findings of the study showed that there was a significant (p<0.05) weight gain in low birth weight neonates after Olive oil massage in experimental group no selected background factors had any significant association. The conclusion of the study was that olive oil massage was effective in weight gain among low birth weight neonates.

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