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International Journal of Applied Research
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ISSN Print: 2394-7500, ISSN Online: 2394-5869, CODEN: IJARPF

g-index: 90

Vol. 4, Issue 5, Part D (2018)

A study to assess the knowledge regarding kangaroo mother care among postnatal mothers in selected hospitals of Pune city

A study to assess the knowledge regarding kangaroo mother care among postnatal mothers in selected hospitals of Pune city

Author(s)
A Shaily Bikai, Ashwini Bhosle, Priyanka Chavan and Surekha Bhatkar
Abstract
Kangaroo mother care (KMC) was first initiated in Colombia due to shortages of incubators and the incidence of severe hospital infections of new-born infants during hospital stay (Feldman, 2004). Currently it is identified by UNICEF as a universally available and biologically sound method of care for all new-borns, particularly for low birth weight infants (Department of Reproductive Health and Research, 2003) in both developed and developing countries. The Western Cape Provincial Government implemented a policy on KMC as part of their strategy to decrease the morbidity and mortality of premature infants in 2003 (Kangaroo Mother Care Provincial task team, (2003). Essential components of KMC are: skin-to-skin contact for 24 hours per day (or as great a part of the day as possible), exclusive breastfeeding and support to the mother-infant.
This cross-sectional descriptive study collected data from all nursing staff and mothers involved in kangaroo care at one hospital over a period of 3 months and the relevant nursing staff from feeder pre-natal clinics in the sub-district, using a structured questionnaire in face-to-face interviews. Data was entered and analysed in Epi-Info (2007). Response frequencies were calculated for items on the attitude scale and for knowledge and practice variables.
The mean gestational age of the infants was 32 weeks and the mean birth weight was 980g. The majority of mothers (70%) knew of the importance of KMC and had a positive attitude towards KMC although they did not receive enough information about KMC at the prenatal facilities. The majority of the nursing staff had some knowledge of the advantages of KMC, appreciated its value and had a positive attitude towards KMC. The most important gap for improving KMC implementation was identified to be a bigger and better equipped KMC ward and lack of education given to mothers at prenatal clinics. More detailed information on KMC should be provided to mothers to improve their knowledge on KMC, while the creation of a home-like environment may enhance the well-being of mothers and infants. To improve the implementation of KMC in the Eastern Sub-district will require bigger and better equipped KMC wards, as well as regular KMC training sessions for nursing staff.
Pages: 231-233  |  4100 Views  894 Downloads


International Journal of Applied Research
How to cite this article:
A Shaily Bikai, Ashwini Bhosle, Priyanka Chavan, Surekha Bhatkar. A study to assess the knowledge regarding kangaroo mother care among postnatal mothers in selected hospitals of Pune city. Int J Appl Res 2018;4(5):231-233.
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