Knowledge, attitude and practice of parents in caring for the health and development of preschool children

Abstract

Background: The early childhood period is crucial for shaping positive characteristics in children and nurturing them into quality adults. Parents play the most significant role in caring for and developing young children. Therefore, the knowledge, attitudes, and good behaviours of parents are of utmost importance.

Objective: The primary outcome is to know the knowledge, attitude, and practice of parents regarding preschool children's health care. The secondary outcome is to know the factors associated with the knowledge, attitude, and practice of parents regarding preschool children's health care.

Methods: This research is a retrospective study based on the survey data that has already been collected. The questionnaire used in the survey gathers information about knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours related to the care of preschool children. Data is collected on-site from parents of preschool children in Kut Ngong Subdistrict, Phanat Nikhom District, Chonburi Province. This data collection was part of the University to Tambon (U2T) project in Kut Ngong.

Results: A total of 210 individuals (from 210 families) participated in the questionnaire. Most of the sample group had low levels of knowledge, high levels of attitude, and high levels of behaviour, with percentages of 43.3, 67.1, and 60.3, respectively. Factors related to the mean of knowledge scores included the average monthly family income and the frequency of childcare arrangements at childcare centres. Factors related to the mean attitude scores included employment status, average monthly family income, the frequency of childcare arrangements at childcare centres, and the child's temperament. The sample group with a family income of less than 10,000 baht had a higher likelihood of having low knowledge and low behavioural levels compared to the group with a family income greater than 20,000 baht, with odds ratios (OR) of 4.78 (95% CI 2.18-10.48) and 5.14 (95%CI 1.48-17.83), respectively.

Conclusion: Most parents have low knowledge, high-level behaviour and attitude towards the care of preschool children. Promoting preschool children care should focus primarily on knowledge, particularly in families with an average monthly income of less than 10,000 baht.