Evaluation of Motivational Interview as Anticipatory Guidance in Mothers of Special Health Care Needs Children-A Randomized Clinical Study

Dr. Savitha Sathyaprasad, Dr. Murshid Babu

Abstract: Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing (MI) as a form of anticipatory guidance in improving the knowledge and attitude of mothers of children with Special Healthcare Needs (SHCN) toward oral health care. Methodology: A prospective interventional study was conducted among 37 mothers of children aged 3?11 years with SHCN from two randomly selected special schools in Dakshina Kannada District, Karnataka. A validated self-administered questionnaire containing 25 closed-ended questions assessed baseline knowledge and attitude. Participants received motivational interview videos and anticipatory guidance materials via electronic platforms. After the intervention, the same questionnaire was re-administered. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, and paired t-tests and Chi-square tests were used to assess the significance of changes in knowledge and attitude. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Knowledge Scores: Pre-intervention ? 5.91?1.65; Post-intervention ? 12.05?0.57 (p = 0.0000000537). Attitude Scores: Pre-intervention? 7.45?1.40; Post-intervention ? 9.16?0.72 (p = 0.00000655). Knowledge levels improved from only 5.4% of participants demonstrating ?good? knowledge at baseline to 100% post-intervention. Attitude levels improved from 21.6% ?good? attitude pre-intervention to 81.08% post-intervention. Both knowledge and attitude improvements were statistically significant. Conclusion: Our study highlights the positive impact of Motivational Interviewing (MI) on mothers of children with SHCN, emphasizing its role in raising caregiver awareness. Pediatric dentists should move beyond routine guidance by integrating MI to address knowledge gaps and deliver targeted interventions, ultimately improving both oral health and overall well-being in these children.

Keywords: Motivational interview, MI, Special children, Anticipatory Guidance, KAP, SHCN

How to Cite?: Dr. Savitha Sathyaprasad, Dr. Murshid Babu, "Evaluation of Motivational Interview as Anticipatory Guidance in Mothers of Special Health Care Needs Children-A Randomized Clinical Study", Volume 14 Issue 8, August 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1317-1320, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR25823183449, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR25823183449