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�A COMPARATIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE ON GASTRITIS AMONG MALE AND FEMALE UNDERGRADUATES IN SELECTED AREAS OF CHITTOOR�. *Dr. M. Sreelatha, Rajamanikyam Sushma, Dr. P. Sudha Rani 1. *Assistant professor, Department of Community Health Nursing, College of Nursing, Sri Venkateshwara Institute Of Medical Sciences, Tirupathi-517507, Chittoor- Dist, Andhra Pradesh, India. 2. *M.SC Nursing Student, Department of Community Health Nursing, College of Nursing, Sri Venkateshwara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupathi. 3. Professor I/C Principal, College of Nursing, Sri Venkateshwara Institute Of Medical Sciences, Tirupathi-517507, Chittoor- Dist, Andhra Pradesh, India. ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: A change in one aspect of a person�s life brings about change in every aspect of his or her being and alters the quality of the whole. Gastrointestinal system is one of the systems of our body which has a relation with diet. Upper gastrointestinal inflammatory process is exceedingly common and has a wide spectrum of cause and manifestation. Gastritis disorder are common; unless treated promptly and completely, they can continue to cause problems throughout the person�s life. Clients need assistance to learn a new way of eating in order to achieve and maintain health and to make necessary lifestyle changes. METHODOLOGY: Non- Experimental approach was adopted to achieve the objectives of the study, which was felt to be most appropriate for its practicability in real life situation. It has the advantages of practicability, feasibility and to a certain extent for generalization. Research design was descriptive research design. The study was conducted in selected areas of Chittoor. Population includes Male and Female undergraduates in selected areas of Chittoor. Sample size consists of 100 undergraduates (50 Male & 50 Females) under inclusion criteria. Non probability convenient sampling technique was adopted for the present study based on inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Out of 100 samples 50 male undergraduates i.e majority 28(56.00%) were having adequate knowledge, 17(34%) were having moderate knowledge and 5(10.00%) were having inadequate knowledge on gastritis. In 50 female undergraduates 40(80.00%) were having adequate knowledge, 8(16.00%) were having moderate knowledge and 2(4.00%) were having inadequate knowledge on gastritis. Male sample mean was 32.14 and standard deviation was 6.468 were as female sample mean was 36.48 and standard deviation was 5.733, t-value was 3.551 significant at p<0.001 level. Hence H01 was rejected. There was association between level of knowledge on gastritis among male undergraduates with their selected socio-demographic variables like Age in years, occupation of the mother significant at <0.005 level and standard of the study was significant at 0.001 level. Hence H02 was rejected. And some of the variables has not shown significance such as religion, education of the mother, education of the father, occupation father, family income per month, residence, dietary pattern, previous knowledge and source of information. Association between level of knowledge on gastritis among female undergraduates with their selected socio-demographic variables like Age in years, occupation of the father, family income per month significant at 0.001 level and residence significant at 0.005 level. Hence H02 was rejected. And some of the variables has not shown significance such as religion, standard of study, education of mother, education of father, occupation of the mother, dietary pattern, previous knowledge and source of information. CONCLUSION: Out of 100 sample majority of the sample were having adequate knowledge on gastritis among male and female. Majority of the female were having adequate knowledge in comparison with male undergraduates. The information booklet has enhance the knowledge levels of undergraduates on gastritis. The demographic variables such as Age, Gender, Educational status of mother and father, occupational status of mother and father, monthly family income, previous knowledge and source of information were associated with their knowledge regarding gastritis.