Abstract WHO estimated that globally about 17 % of all live births are low birth weight babies. The incidence of low birth weight in India is 30-40% of all births [3]. Out of this 8-10 % are preterm and 20-30% is small for date. Low birth weight & prematurity are major contributor to infant mortality rate in India. These babies have major physiological handicaps and, therefore, are ill equipped for normal life Expert and skilled care is required for these babies to have hope for normal life (Singh, Meharban. 2004). Aim: “A study to assess the effectiveness of coconut oil massage in Low birth weight babies in terms of gain in weight in selected areas of Bhilai, Chhattisgarh”. Results: The mean Post test weight score (3317) was apparently higher than the Pre test weight score (3087). The mean difference (230), S.D. (±77.15) and computed “t” value (13.30) at the level of 0.001 showed that highly significant difference between the pre test and post test weight scores of experimental group. Findings of unpaired t test reveals that ‘t’ value for mean gain score of experimental and control group for weight (t =1.05) at the level of 0.001 shows that there is no significant difference between experimental and control group in terms of gain in weight. Conclusion: The present study shows significant increase in weight of low birth weight babies after coconut oil massage in experimental group than control group. Thus it is concluded that the coconut oil massage was an effective intervention in improving the weight of low birth weight babies.
Keywords: Coconut Oil Massage; Weight