Digital Training Program with Mothers of Toddlers on Weaning, Toilet Training and Autism Knowledge: A Randomized...

In recent years, research has emphasized the need to increase mothers' awareness of important issues, particularly toilet training, breastfeeding termination training, and autism. The aim of this study is to increase the awareness levels of mothers through a training program on sensitive issues in the 18-36 months group, such as toilet training, autism and breastfeeding termination.

The study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial. The study population consisted of 90 mothers with children aged 18 to 33 months living in a province in eastern Turkey between September 2024 and February 2025. A "Personal Information Form," the "Toilet Training Knowledge Attitude Scale," the "Autism Awareness Scale Mother Form," the "Weaning Scale" and the "Informed Voluntary Consent Form" were used to collect the data. Animation-supported digital education prepared by the researchers was applied to the mothers in the experimental group for a duration of six weeks.

The difference between the knowledge levels of the experimental and control groups in terms of toilet training, autism awareness and breastfeeding termination after the training was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). The pre-post score difference between the experimental group and the control group was significantly higher in all groups.

The animation-supported digital education given to the mothers in the experimental group was found to have a positive effect on their toilet training, autism awareness and breastfeeding termination knowledge levels.

Nurses working and specializing in pediatrics and public health should explore ways to use technology-based training.