Knowledge and self-care behavior using local wisdom among postpartum mother, Ban Lao Subdistrict, Mueang District, Chaiyaphum province

Abstract

       This study aimed to: 1) assess the knowledge and self-care behaviors based on local wisdom, 2) compare self-care behaviors according to personal characteristics, and 3) examine the relationship between knowledge and self-care behaviors. The participants were 85 postpartum mothers. The research instruments included: 1) a 20-item multiple choice knowledge test with four options, covering three domains: postpartum self-care, use of local wisdom, and precautions, with a KR-20 reliability coefficient of 0.84; and 2) a 35-item self-care behavior questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.82. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The results indicated that the majority of participants had a high level of knowledge (16–20 points), accounting for 61.18% of the sample. The self-care behaviors based on local wisdom were also at a high level ( = 4.38,  = 0.48). Participants differed significantly in self-care behaviors according to age and educational level (p < 0.05). Additionally, knowledge was positively and significantly correlated with self-care behaviors based on local wisdom among postpartum mothers (r = 0.64, p < 0.05).