Barriers and enablers of implementation of kangaroo mother care in newborn unit in Kiambu level 5 hospital

Abstract

Judith Kajuju Mukila*

Background of the study: Kangaroo mother care has been recognized to improve neonatal outcomes by maintaining the infant’s temperature and other vital sign parameters through skin to skin contacts and by providing the benefits of breastfeeding.

Objectives: This study intended to assess the enablers and barriers to implementation of Kangaroo mother care among mothers with preterm and low birth weight babies in Kiambu Level 5 hospital, Kiambu County in Kenya.

Study methodology: The study employed descriptive cross sectional study design. Random sampling method was used to select 106 mothers with low birth weight and premature babies whose babies have been admitted in the newborn unit in Kiambu level 5 Hospital. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents. Pretesting of the study tool was done at Thika level 5 Hospital and where necessary the changes were effected on the study tools. Data collected was cleaned, coded and entered into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23.0 for analysis. Descriptive statistical analysis was done through frequencies, mean and standard deviation. Inferential statistics was done through multi-linear regression. Results were presented using, frequency tables, pie charts and bar graphs.

Results: The findings indicated a significant association between enablers of KMC (P<0.036), there was no significant association between enablers barriers of KMC (P>.191) and the implementation of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) practices among mothers giving birth at Kiambu level five hospital.

Recommendations: There is need to ensure that only persons who are not baby’s parents are restricted to KMC rooms and that mothers should be encouraged to increase time that the mothers allocate to KMC rather than feeling that the practice is time consuming. Health facilities should also address the lack of Kangaroo mother care rooms which has was highlighted as a hindrance tokangaroo mother care among other concerns.