AbstractBackground: There is an increasing number of children being diagnosed with Mental Retardation. Social, cultural and educational components in the society are helping to increase awareness of this disability, and subsequent to diagnosis, its acceptance by the affected family.
Objective: To assess the level of knowledge of family caregivers towards Mentally Challenged Children in selected Institution of Bangalore.
Research Design: descriptive research design.
Study setting: Nachiketa Manovikasa Kendra special school for mentally retarded, M.C. Layout Bangalore.
Tools: It consisted of two sections: Section A - Socio demographic Profile and Section B - Knowledge Questionnaire for family caregivers towards Mentally Challenged Children.
Results: The mean knowledge score was 11.8+4.611 and 78% of the family caregivers had inadequate knowledge.
Conclusion: The present study throws light on the importance of the need of empowerment of the family caregivers with adequate and appropriate information on the trend of development of the mentally challenged child and to know-how of managing developmental delays so that they could provide suitable environment for their care and development.