A Study to Assess the Knowledge on Kangaroo Mother Care Among Post Natal Mothers of Low-Birth-Weight Babies at Selected Hospital of Vrindavan, Mathura, U.P.

Abstract

Abstract: According to the statistical assessment nearly 20 million low-birth-weight (LBW) babies are born each year, because of either preterm birth or impaired prenatal growth, mostly in less developed countries. They contribute substantially to a high rate of neonatal mortality whose frequency and distribution correspond to those of poverty. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is an effective way to meet baby’s needs for warmth, breastfeeding, protection from infection, stimulation, safety and love. Kangaroo mother care is care of preterm infants carried skin-to-skin with the mother. It is a powerful, easy-to-use method to promote the health and well-being of infants born preterm as well as full-term. KMC facilitates the initiation and establishment of breastfeeding in small infants and it normalize infant physiology improves weight gain and provide sense of security to the baby. It has been demonstrated that Kangaroo Mother Care is associated with increased survival and reduced hospital. Objectives 1) To assess the level of knowledge among the post-natal mothers of low-birth-weight babies regarding kangaroo mother care in selected hospital of Vrindavan. 2) To correlate the knowledge regarding Kangaroo Mother Care among the post-natal mothers of low-birth-weight babies with selected demographic variables. Methodology: This study was conducted to assess knowledge among the post-natal mothers regarding Kangaroo mother care in selected Hospital in Vrindavan, Mathura and the descriptive study design was selected. Population selected was post-natal mothers and sample size were 60.the consent was taken. The subjects were selected by convenient sampling technique. The structured questionnaires were distributed to the mothers of selected Low birth weight babies to assess their level of regarding Kangaroo Mother Care after obtaining an informed consent. Data was collected by using Structured Knowledge Questionnaire. A significant association was found between knowledge score and type of family and dietary habit whereas no significant association was found with age, religion, occupation of father, educational status of mother, family income and residential status Results: The study revealed that the level of knowledge among the mothers is 42(70%) had inadequate knowledge and 12(20%) had moderately adequate knowledge and 06(10%) had adequate knowledge regarding Kangaroo Mother Care. The chi-square test revealed that there was no significant association with age, occupation, monthly income, place of living, type of marriage, type of family, number of children and but there was significant association between religion. Keywords: Kangaroo mother care, Postnatal, Practice