Challenges facing mothers who practice Kangaroo mother care in health facilities; a case of Dar es Salaam
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Date
2017
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Nursing and Health Science
Abstract
Kangaroo mother care has been proved scientifically to reduce morbidity and mortality of preterm infants since it maintains
bonding between mother and infant as a result of skin to skin contact, protects infants against infection, stimulates milk
secretion, reduces hospital long stay for the infant and provides good sleep pattern to infants because of comfortability from
the mother. The objective of this study was to assess challenges facing mothers who practice kangaroo mother care method for
their preterm or low birth weight babies in Dar es Salaam. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design.
Mwananyamala hospital which is located in Kinondoni municipality was purposively selected for the study. The study
population included mothers who practice kangaroo mother care method in the kangaroo unit of the hospital. Data was
collected using structured interviews, focus group discussion and observation. Fifteen individual interviews and one focus
group discussion were conducted. Data was analysed using content analysis methods where themes were developed from the
responses. Major factors that affect kangaroo mother care include little knowledge of kangaroo mother care, fatigue of
mothers, lack of cooperation from health care workers and unconducive environment of the wards. Recommendations from the
study are that mothers should be educated on the importance of kangaroo mother care during the perinatal period, health care
workers should encourage mothers to practice kangaroo method and hospital administrators should furnish the kangaroo wards
with the necessary equipment.
Description
Keywords
Challenges, Kangaroo Mother Care, Health facilities
Citation
Achilles Kiwanuka, Sophia Tarabani, Ezekiel Henry Mbao, Felix Kisanga. Challenges Facing Mothers Who Practice Kangaroo Mother Care in Health Facilities; A Case of Dar es Salaam. International Journal of Nursing and Health Science. Vol. 4, No. 5, 2017, pp. 58-62.