IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science (IOSR-JNHS) e- ISSN: 2320–1959.p- ISSN: 2320–1940 Volume 7, Issue 4 Ver. III (Jul.-Aug. 2018), PP 75-88 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/1959-0704037588 www.iosrjournals.org 75 | Page Effect of Guiding Program on Mothers' Health Awareness Regarding Household Poisoning of their Children Less Than Six Years Old in Rural Areas. Mona Abo BakrMoshtohry, AsmaaTalaat Mohamed, * Mona Ali Kunswa. Lecturers at Community Health Nursing Department, * Lecturer at Pediatric Nursing Department. Faculty of Nursing – Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. Abstract: Background: Household poisoning refers to the exposure to poisonous substances that can be products in the house. Poisoning is one of the leading causes of injury to children. Most poisonings happen in a child’s home, especially with a child under six years old. Young children are particularly susceptible to the ingestion of poisons, especially liquids, because they are very inquisitive, put most items in their mouths and are unaware of consequences. Children are often poisoned by common household chemicals, cleaners and medicines. The aim: this study aimed to explore the effect of a guiding program on mothers' health awareness regarding household poisoning of their children less than six years old. Design: A quasi-experimental study was utilized. Setting: The study was conducted in Maternal and Child Health Center in Moshtohour village, Qualyupia governorate and the Outpatient Clinic of Children’ Hospital affiliated to Ain Shams University Hospitals. Sample: A purposive sample composed of 50 mothers and their children were included in this study. Tools: 1. Pre-designed Questionnaire Format by Interviewing; to assess demographic characteristics of the studied mothers & their children and to assess mothers' knowledge regarding household poisoning. II. An Observation Checklist, it consisted of two parts: A) Poisoning Prevention Checklist, to assess mothers' reported practices regarding preventive measures of household poisoning. B) First Aid Poisoning Checklist, to assess mothers' reported practices regarding first aid of household poisoning. Results of the study revealed that, after application of the guiding program and booklets dissemination, the studied mothers showed significant improvement in their health awareness regarding household poisoning of their children less than six years old. Conclusion: Application of the guiding program has a positive effect on the studied mothers' knowledge and reported practices regarding household poisoning of their children less than six years old. This study recommended that, guiding programs for household poisoning prevention should be applied in all pediatric health care settings. Guiding instructions through mass media should be directed to prevent and control household poisoning among children. Key words:Mothers, Health, Awareness, Children, Household, Poisoning, Prevention, First aid, Nursing. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 14-07-2018 Date of acceptance: 30-07-2018 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction Poisoning refers to an injury that results from being exposed to an exogenous substance that causes cellular injury or death. Poisons can be inhaled, ingested, injected or absorbed. The exposure may be acute or chronic and the clinical presentation will vary accordingly. The factors determining the severity of poisoning and its outcome in a child are interrelated and including the type of poison, the dose, the route of exposure, the age of the child, the presence of other poisons, the state of nutrition of the child and the presence of other diseases or injuries (WHO, 2008).Accidents in childhood can lead from temporary disability to death. Accidents have epidemiological causes and determinants that can be prevented and controlled and are usually the result of a set of factors that make their occurrence predictable (Nascimento et al., 2016). Childhood poisoning is a leading cause to morbidity and mortality in both developing and developed countries. In spite of the success of some interventions to prevent accidental poisoning among children, it continues to be a common occurrence. Poisoning can be defined as being exposed to ingestion, inhalation, injection or absorption of a substance which is harmful to the child's health. Poisoning in preschool children is mainly unintentional and commonly due to non-pharmaceutical agents (Alazab et al., 2012). The home and its surroundings can be dangerous places for children, particularly for the possibility of unintentional poisoning. Children are naturally curious, exploring in and around the home. As a result, each year millions of calls are made to poison control centers (also called poison information centers). Thousands of children are admitted to emergency departments because they have inadvertently consumed some type of household product, medicine or pesticide. Most of these “accidental” poisonings could have been prevented (WHO, 2008).