Effectiveness of a structured teaching program on knowledge and attitude regarding child mental disorders among primary school teachers at selected schools in Vijayapur, Karnataka

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a structured teaching program on the knowledge and attitudes of primary school teachers regarding child mental disorders. Given the projected rise in childhood neuropsychiatric disorders, teachers, who spend significant time with students, are in a pivotal position to identify mental health issues early. A pre-experimental one-group pre-test post-test design was utilized, involving 100 primary school teachers selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected using a self-structured knowledge questionnaire and an attitude scale. Results indicated a significant increase in knowledge (pre-test mean = 8.47, post-test mean = 21.39; t = 36.31, p < 0.001) and attitudes (pre-test mean = 23.60, post-test mean = 33.77; t = 15.51, p < 0.001) post-intervention. Additionally, the study found significant associations between knowledge and specific socio-demographic variables, including prior identification of children with mental disorders. The findings suggest that structured teaching programs can effectively enhance teachers' knowledge and attitudes toward child mental health, underscoring the need for such initiatives in educational settings.