INTRODUCTION:

Pregnancy is a wonderful event in a women’s life, however, various cultures holds different opinions. while some see as a holy act to bring a new life on earth. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is one way to care for preterm infants who are clinically stable to help reduce the mortality rates of this group of infants. In 1978, Edgar Rey, a Colombian pediatrician, foresaw how incubator shortages would impact mothers being separated from their babies in neonatal units, and he developed KMC in response.3) KMC is care of preterm infant carried skintoskin with the mother. Engaging in KMC stabilizes the infant’s temperature and enhances the production of maternal prolactin. Furthermore, KMC could become a standard preterm care internationally, including South Korea¹.

KMC is an evidencebased intervention that has proven to be appropriate for not only improving the quality of LBWI life but also saving their lives.¹

The intervention has proven to prevent up to half of all hospital deaths of infants weighing less than 2,000 g.² In Indonesia, the importance of newborn thermal care was first raised in the early 1990s.² KMC was introduced in the late 1990s and has been implemented in select hospitals and Puskesmas (public health centers) as an effective and lowcost method of care. Not only has KMC proven to benefit LBWI patients, but it is a costeffective practice that saves money at hospitals, which is why it is unusual that only 21 of 2,083 hospitals have reported implementing KMC.³Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is an effective way to meet baby's needs for warmth, breast feeding, and protection from infection, stimulation, safety and love. Mother acts as an incubator as kangaroo and put low birth infant vertically in between the chest for warming. The term kangaroo care is derived from practical similarities to marsupial care-giving. The premature infant is kept warm in the maternal pouch and is close to the breasts for unlimited feeding. It provides an alternative to incubator care, without separation from the mother³.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

“A study to assess the knowledge regarding kangaroo mother care among postnatal mothers at selected hospitals of Gulbarga”

OBJECTIVES:

1. To assess the knowledge of postnatal mothers regarding kangaroo mother care.

2. To determine the association between the level of knowledge and their selected personal variables.

NEED FOR THE STUDY:

Today’s children are tomorrow’s citizens. The development and the prosperity of a nation depend on the health and development of growing children. The first month of a baby’s life is a most critical period. Over 80 % of the new born babies require minimal care, which can be provided by the mother under the supervision of basic health supervisor. Mother is the primary health worker to provide newborn care²

HYPOTHESIS:

H₁: There will be significant association between the level of knowledge regarding kangaroo mother care among post natal mothers and selected personal variables.

METHODOLOGY:

A descriptive study was conducted to assess the knowledge regarding kangaroo mother care among postnatal mothers. Ethical clearance was obtained from the institution. Formal administrative permission was obtained from the Medical superintendent of selected hospitals of Gulbarga. 60 postnatal mothers were selected conveniently. Data was collected regarding knowledge of kangaroo mother care by administering structured knowledge questionnaire and was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS:

Section 1: Demographic variables of nurses:

Majority of postnatal mothers 32(53.3%) had poor knowledge regarding kangaroo mother care, followed by 27(45%) had average knowledge and 1(1.6%) had good knowledge regarding kangaroo mother care.

Section 2:

Table -1: Mean, median and standard deviation of knowledge scores of postnatal mothers regarding kangaroo mother care n=60

Group	Mean	Median	Range	Standard Deviation
Post Natal Mothers	9.18	9	01.23	±4.45

According table 1, the knowledge scores of postnatal mothers ranged from 1-23, mean score was 9 with a standard deviation of ±4.45.

Table -2: Frequency and percentage distribution of level of knowledge of postnatal mother regarding kangaroo mother care n=60

Sl. No	Level of Knowledge	Frequency	%
1	Poor	32	53.3
2	Average	27	45
3	Good	01	01.6

Majority of postnatal mothers are 32(53.3) had poor knowledge regarding kangaroo mother care, followed by 27(45) had average knowledge and 1(1.6) had good knowledge regarding kangaroo mother care.

The study also revealed that there was significant association between selected personal variables and level of knowledge regarding kangaroo mother care among postnatal mothers variables like age, Education, Religion, Number of pregnancy and Previous knowledge on kangaroo mother care were having significant association and other personal variables like place of residence, family income, type of family, type of diet and source of information were not having any significant association with the knowledge scores of postnatal mothers regarding kangaroo mother care at 0.05 level.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Similar study can be undertaken with larger sample to generalize the findings

2. An experimental study can be conducted to determine the effectiveness of planned teaching programme for postnatal mothers regarding kangaroo mother care.

CONCLUSION:

The findings of the study concludes that there is a need for educating the postnatal mothers regarding kangaroo mother care.

REFERENCES:

1. Nyqvist KH, Anderson GC, Bergman N, Cattaneo A, Charpak N, A, Divan R, Worku B, et al. Kangaroo mother care for low birth weight infants: a randomized controlled trial in different settings. Acta Paediatric 1998; 87(9):976-85.

2. Davanzo R, et al. Towards Universal Kangaroo Mother Care: Recommendations and Report from the First European Conference and Seventh International Workshop on Kangaroo Mother Care. Acta Pædiatrica 2010;99: 820-26.

3. Lawn JE, Cousens S, Zupan J (2005) 4 million neonatal deaths: When? Where? Why? Lancet 365(9462): 891-900. 2. Ahmed FA (2012) UNICEF Saving preterm babies in Bangladesh hospitals.

4. Mohammadzadeh A, Farhat A, Jafarzadeh M, Hasanzadeh L, Esmaeli H (2011) Advantages of kangaroo mother care in less than 2000 grams low birth weight neonates. M JIRI 25(1): 11-15. 4. Bergh AM, Manu R, Davy K, Van RE, Quansah AG, et al. (2013) Progress with the implementation of kangaroo mother care in four regions in Ghana. Ghana Med J 47(2): 57-63.

5. World health organization (2003) Kangaroo Mother Care: a practical guide. Department of reproductive Health and research, WHO, Geneva, Switzerland, p. 1-54.

6. Darmstadt GL, Bhutta ZA, Cousens S, Adam T, Walker N, et al. (2005) Evidence-based, cost effective interventions: how many newborn babies can we save? Lancet 365(9463): 977-988.

7. Victora CG, Rubens CE, GAPPS Review Group (2010) Global report on preterm birth and stillbirth (4 of 7): delivery of interventions. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 10(S1): S4.

8. Lawn JE, Kerber K, Enweronu LC, Cousens S (2010) 3.6 Million neonatal deaths-what is progressing and what is not? Semin Perinatol 34(6): 371-386.

9. Barros FC, Bhutta ZA, Batra M, Hansen TN, Victora CG, et al. (2010) Global report on preterm birth and stillbirth (3 of 7): evidence for effectiveness of interventions. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 10(S1): S3.

Received on 11.02.2022 Modified on 26.02.2022

Asian J. Nursing Education and Research. 2022; 12(2):227-228.

DOI: 10.52711/2349-2996.2022.00046