Abstract
In recent years, Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) has emerged as a vital and effective intervention for promoting the health and well-being of preterm infants. This skin-to-skin contact between the mother and her newborn, especially in the early days after birth, offers a myriad of benefits, ranging from improved thermoregulation and weight gain to enhanced bonding and emotional connection. However, the successful implementation of KMC hinges upon the awareness, attitudes, and compliance of parents and healthcare providers. Understanding the factors influencing these aspects is crucial for the development of targeted information, health education, and communication (IEC) materials. This study aims to delve into the levels of awareness, attitudes, and barriers surrounding KMC, providing a comprehensive foundation for crafting effective IEC materials. Ultimately, the goal is to contribute to improved neonatal outcomes and the overall well-being of preterm infants. This study used a quantitative research method, specifically descriptive -correlational research design. The participants of this study are the mothers who were admitted and availed of the services of the LGU Iguig Municipal Health Office Birthing Center from July 2021 to July 2023. They were selected using a random selection technique, which was classified into 3 strata. A validated researcher-made questionnaire was used to gather the data and statistically analyzed using frequency percentage, mean, ANOVA, and Chi-Square test. The results show that there is a varied level of awareness among mothers regarding Kangaroo Mother Care. While some mothers are well-informed about KMC, a significant proportion appears to have only a limited or basic understanding of the concept. In addition, the attitude of mothers towards Kangaroo Mother Care seems to be generally positive, suggesting a receptiveness to the concept. Positive attitudes may be influenced by factors such as perceived benefits, personal experiences, and cultural acceptance. The study also highlights certain barriers that hinder full compliance with Kangaroo Mother Care practices among mothers. Identified barriers may include behavioral, environmental, psychosocial, and physiologic factors. Among the identified barriers, the environmental factor has the highest mean in which respondents have limited information about KMC’s time of commencement, and they do not comply with KMC due to privacy concerns.References
Amorim, M., Alves, E., Kelly-Irving, M., Ribeiro, A. I., & Silva, S. (2018). Quality of life of parents of very preterm infants 4 months after birth: a mixed methods study. Health and quality of life outcomes, 16, 1-12.
Bergh, A. M., Arsalo, I., Malan, A. F., Patrick, M., Pattinson, R.C. & Phillips, N. (2005). Measuring implementation progress in kangaroo mother care. Acta Paediatric. 94(8):1102-8.
Bergh AM, de Graft-Johnson J, Khadka N, Om'Iniabohs A, Udani R, Pratomo H, et al. The three waves in implementation of facility-based kangaroo mother care: a multi-country case study from Asia. BMC Int Health Hum Rights 2016;16:4
Bergh Am , Kerber K, Abwao S. et al. 2014. Implementing facility-based kangaroo mother care services: lessons from a multi-country study in Africa. BMC Health Services Research14: 293.
Bhutta, Z. A., Khan, I., Salat, S., Raza, F., Khan, I. & Ara, H. ( 2004). Reducing the length of stay in hospital for very low birth weight infants by involving mothers in a stepdown unit: an experience from Karachi (Pakistan). British Medical Journal, 329: 1153-1155.
Boundy EO, Dastjerdi R, Spiegelman D, et al. Kangaroo mother care and neonatal outcomes: a meta analysis. Pediatrics 2016;137:e20152238. doi:10.1542/peds.2015-2238
Brotherton H, Gai A, Kebbeh B, et al Impact of early kangaroo mother care versus standard care on survival of mild-moderately unstable neonates < 2000 Grams: a randomise controlled trial. EClinicalMedicine 2021;39:101050. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2021.101050
Brownell M, Enns J. Reducing child mortality in high-income countries: where to from here? Lancet. 2018 2018;391(10134):1968–9. doi:10.1016/s0140- 6736(18)30938-3.
Chan G, Bergelson I, Smith ER, Skotnes T, Wall S. Barriers and enablers of kangaroo mother care implementation from a health systems perspective: a systematic review. Health Policy Plan 2017;32:1466–75.
Cattaneo, A., Davanzo, R., Uxa, F. & Tamburlini, G. (1998). Recommendations for the implementation of kangaroo mother care for low birth weight infants. Acta Pediatric, 87: 440 – 445.
Charpak, N., Ruiz, J.G., Zupan, J., Cattaneo, A., Figueroa, Z., Tessier, R., Christo, M., Anderson, G., Ludington, S., Mendoza, S., Mokhachane, M. & Worku, B. (2005). Kangaroo mother: 25 years after. Acta Paediatric, 94(5):514-22.
Charpak N, Ruiz-Peláez JG, Figueroa de C Z, Charpak Y. Kangaroo mother versus traditional care for newborn infants≤2000 grams: a randomized, controlled trial. Pediatrics. 1997;100(4):682–8. doi:10.1542/peds.100.4.682.
Charpak, N. & Ruiz-Pelaez, J.G. (2006). Resistance to implementing KMC in developing countries and proposed solutions. Acta Paediatric, 95(5): 529-534.
Conde-Agudelo A. et al. (2011). Kangaroo mother care to reduce morbidity and mortality in low birth weight infants. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev.
Conde-Agudelo A, Díaz-Rossello JL. Kangaroo mother care to reduce morbidity and mortality in low birthweight infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016;2016:CD002771. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002771.pub4
Campbell-Yeo M. (2015). Understanding kangaroo care and its benefits to preterm infants Pediatric Health Medicine. Therapeutic.
Chia, P., Sellick, K. & Gan, S. (2006). The attitude and practices of neonatal nurses in the use of kangaroo care. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 23(4): 20-7.
Dalal A, Bala DV, Chauhan S. A cross-sectional study on knowledge and attitude regarding kangaroo mother care practice among health care providers in Ahmedabad District. Int J Med Sci Public Heal 2014;3:253–6.
Faith Alcazaren, (2009). “Newborn Care Bootcamp For New Moms”, during her talk at After 9: Everything You Need To Know After Giving Birth
Department of Health (2009). Unang yakan. Essential newborn care protocol. Available at: https://doh.gov.ph/unang-yakap
Davanzo, R. (2004). Newborns in adverse conditions: issues, challenges, and interventions. Journal of Midwifery and women’s health, 49(4): 29-35
Dimmenna, L. (2006). Consideration for implementation of a Neonatal Kangaroo Care Protocol. Neonatal Network, 25(6): 405 – 412.
Flynn A, Leahy-Warren P. Neonatal nurses’ knowledge and beliefs regarding kangaroo care with preterm infants in an Irish neonatal unit. J Neonatal Nurs 2010;16:221–8.
Furman, L. & Kennell, J. (2000). Breastmilk and skin-to-skin kangaroo care for premature infants: avoiding bonding failure. Acta Paediatrica ,89(11): 1280- 1283.
Gathwala G, Singh B, Singh J. Effect of Kangaroo Mother Care on physical growth, breastfeeding and its acceptability. Trop Doct 2010;40:199–202.
Hay K, McDougal L, Percival V, Henry S, Klugman J, Wurie H et al. Disrupting gender norms in health systems: making the case for change. Lancet. 2019;393(10190):2535–49. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30648-8.
Kambarami, R.A., Mutambirwa, J. & Maramba, P.P. (2002). Caregiver perceptions and experiences of kangaroo care in a developing country. Tropical doctor, 32(3):131-3.
Lima, G., Quintero-Romero, S. & Cattaneo, A. (2000). Feasibility, acceptability and cost of kangaroo mother care in Recife, Brazil. Annals of Tropical Paediatrics, 20: 2- 26.
Lim S. Neonatal nurses’ perceptions of supportive factors and barriers to the implementation of skin-to-skin care in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants - A qualitative study. J Neonatal Nurs 2018;24:39–43.
Ludington-Hoe SM. (2011). Evidence-based review of physiologic effects of kangaroo care. Curr Womens Health Rev ;7:243–53.
Lima, G., Quintero-Romero, S. & Cattaneo, A. (2000). Feasibility, acceptability and cost of kangaroo mother care in Recife, Brazil. Annals of Tropical Paediatrics, 20: 2- 26.
Ludington-Hoe SM. Evidence-based review of physiologic effects of kangaroo care. Curr Womens Health Rev 2011;7:243–53.
Milner KM, Neal EFG, Roberts G, et al. Long-Term neurodevelopmental outcome in high- risk newborns in resource-limited settings: a systematic review of the literature. Paediatr Int Child Health 2015;35:227– 42. doi:10.1179/2046905515Y.0000000043
Moore ER, Bergman N, Anderson GC, Medley N. Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborninfants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016;11(11):CD003519.
Muhe L.M. et al. (2019). Major causes of death in preterm infants in selected hospitals in Ethiopia (SIP): a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study. Lancet Global Health
Mazumder S, Taneja S, Dube B, et al. Effect of community-initiated kangaroo mother care on survival of infants with low birthweight: a randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2019;394:1724–36. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)32223-8
Naomi Chamhene & Fabiola Vincent Moshi. 2023. Level of Knowledge on Kangaroo Mother Care and Its Associated Factors Among Postnatal Mothers With Preterm Babies in Central Tanzania: Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study. Journal Sage Open Nursing. Vol 9.https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608231167813
Olawuyi, O., Ezenwa, BN., Fajolu IB., Onwuama M., Ezeaka CV. 2021. Knowledge, attitude and practice of kangaroo mother care among mothers in the neonatal wards of a tertiary care center. Pan Afr Med J. 2021; 38: 364. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2021.38.364.22833
Perin J, Mulick A, Yeung D, Villavicencio F, Lopez G, Strong KL et al. Global, regional, and national causes of under-5mortality in 2000-19: an updated systematic analysis with implications for the Sustainable Development Goals. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2022;6(2):106–15. doi:10.1016/S2352-4642(21)00311-
Pattinson, R. C., Bergh, A. M., Malan , A. F. & Prinsloo, R. (2006). Does kangaroo mother care saves lives? Journal of tropical pediatrics, 52(6):438 – 441
Pados. B. F. (2019). Physiology of stress and use of skin-to-skin care as a stress-reducing intervention in the NICU Nursing Women's Health
PSA Census of Population (2020). "Region II (Cagayan Valley)". Total Population by Province, City, Municipality and Barangay. Philippine Statistics Authority.
Quasem, I., Slogan, N.L., Chowdhury, A., Ahmed, S., Winikoff, B. & Chowdhury, A.M.R. (2003). Adaptation of kangaroo mother care for community- based application. Journal of perinatology, 23(8): 646 – 51.
Roller, C.G. (2005). Getting to know you: mother’s experiences in kangaroo care. Journal of obstetric,gynaecologic, and neonatal nursing, 34(2):210-7.
Ruiz-Peláez JG, Charpak N, Cuervo LG. Kangaroo Mother Care, an example to follow from developing countries. BMJ 2004;329:1179–81.
Sharma D, Murki S, Pratap OT. (2017). To compare growth outcomes and cost effectiveness of "Kangaroo ward care" with "intermediate intensive care" in stable extremely low birth weight infants: randomized control trial. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 30:1659–65.
Shorey, S., He, H. G., & Morelius, E. (2016). Skin-to-skin contact by fathers and the impact on infant and paternal outcomes: an integrative review. Midwifery, 40, 207-217.
Uy ME., Uy, L.M.V., Chung, A.L.T., and Mendoza, S.D. (2021). Kangaroo Mother Care Implementation at the Philippine General Hospital: A Quality Assurance Initiative. Acta medica pilippina.
Wallin, I., Rudberg, A. & Gunningberg, I. (2005). Staff experiences in implementing guidelines for kangaroo mother care - a qualitative study. International journal of Nurses Studies, 42(1):61-73.
WHO recommendations on interventions to improve preterm birth outcomes. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2015 (https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/183037).
Velaphi, S. C., Mokhachane, M., Mphahlele, R. M., Beckh-Arnold, E., Kuwanda, M. L. & Cooper, P.A. (2005). Survival of very LBW infants according to birth weight and gestational age in a public hospital. South African Medical Journal, 95(7):504-9.