TO DETERMINE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF KANGAROO MOTHER CARE(KMC) IN POSTNATAL MOTHERS IN A NEONATAL CARE UNIT OF A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL- A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

TO DETERMINE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF KANGAROO MOTHER CARE(KMC) IN POSTNATAL MOTHERS IN A NEONATAL CARE UNIT OF A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL- A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY. Original Research Paper Dr Mugdha Todkar Senior Resident, Dept Of Paediatrics, Postgraduate Institute , Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital, Pimpri, Pune-18 Background;Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is identied by WHO as a biologically sound method of care for all new-borns, particularly for low birth weight infants as a part of their strategy to decrease the morbidity and mortality of premature infants. This study was planned to understand the knowledge, attitude, and practice of KMC among the mothers . Aim: To determine knowledge, attitude and practice of kangaroo mother care (KMC) among postnatal mothers in neonatal care unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Materials and Methods: A cross- sectional study by administering an open-ended questionnaire was used in an interview of mothers providing KMC at a tertiary care center. The mothers' response to these questions was marked according to a predetermined scoring system. Results: At recruitment (91.2%) mothers did not know about KMC. 86% of mothers could follow the verbal instructions and found it easy in rst sitting. 100 % of them felt closeness to the babies and their babies slept well too. 91.8% of mothers thought that KMC is benecial for their babies. 84.8% perceived increased in breast milk production and 89.9% felt that the babies cried less after KMC.At discharge 100% were willing to continue KMC at home. 98.7% of the mothers were happy with the support they received from the doctors and nurses for same.Conclusion:These results support earlier ndings of the benecial effects of KMC on mortality and growth. Use of this technique would humanize the practice of neonatology, promote breastfeeding, and shorten the neonatal hospital stay without compromising survival, growth, or development.