Accetability of kangaroo mother care by mothers with premature babies: A case study of the women and newborn hospital,Lusaka,Zambia

Abstract

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a low cost method of care for premature and low birth weight infants in areas with inadequate incubators and power outages. KMC has been found to be an evidence-based approach to reducing mortality and morbidity in preterm infants. This study aims to assess the acceptance levels of Kangaroo Mother Care by mothers with premature/low birth weight babies. A cross sectional analytical design using both qualitative and quantitative approach was used. Data was collected using semi structured interview schedule from 60 mothers with premature babies and five key informants using and interview guide. Respondent were purposively sampled at the University Teaching Hospital KMC unit. Data was analysed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 program and chi-square test was used to test for associations among variables. Binary logistic regression modelling was employed to predict the outcome. Data obtained by interview guide was summarised in a narrative form. Study findings indicate that 60% of women found KMC acceptable and were able to practice continuously in spite of not having prior knowledge of KMC before admission. Acceptance changed in mothers with high knowledge, where acceptance rose to 74.2%. The observed pattern was found to be statistically significant as the chi-square test yielded a p-value of 0.02. This finding suggests an association between Mothers' knowledge about Kangaroo Mother Care and acceptance of care. The study revealed that the longest serving key informant at the KMC Unit had served for two (2) years and three (3) informants had not received any training on KMC. The current study revealed that Kangaroo Mother Care was acceptable by mothers and their families and that most mothers had relatively high knowledge on KMC. Despite mothers having relatively high knowledge on KMC, most mothers did not receive any information on KMC before admission to hospital. Acceptability was significantly associated with knowledge of the mother on KMC. There is need to intensify Information, Education and Communication (IEC) to the communities on Kangaroo Mother Care. Keywords: Kangaroo Mother Care, Acceptability, Knowledge, Premature, Low birth weight