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

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.