Abstract
BackgroundKangaroo mother care (KMC) is the practice of skin-to-skin contact between an infant and parent and has been found to improve the growth and decrease the morbidity and mortality of low-birth-weight and premature infants. Adolescent pregnancy is associated with a preterm birth or low-birth-weight infant; therefore, it is possible that an adolescent mother may have to provide KMC. The adolescent mother, who is likely to have her first experience of motherhood, may have to be supported to ensure that she is able to provide KMC and the routine care for her preterm infant. The literature review did not reveal any research conducted in the Western Cape province on the experiences of adolescent mothers whilst providing KMC. It is, therefore, important to conduct research on this phenomenon so that the lived experiences of adolescent mothers whilst providing KMC can be described.AimThe aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of adolescent mothers whilst providing continuous KMC.SettingThe study was conducted in a district and central hospital KMC wards in Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa.MethodsA qualitative, descriptive, phenomenological research design was used. Ten adolescent mothers were selected through purposive sampling. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted, transcribed and analysed using Colaizzi’s framework.ResultsThree themes emerged from the data: providing KMC, the interactions and the support received.ConclusionSupportive educative environments should be established in the KMC wards to ensure that the adolescent mothers receive holistic support.
Highlights
In South Africa in 2018, 9.4% of adolescents aged 15–19 years gave birth (Statistics South Africa 2018b:19)
Adolescent pregnancy is associated with a preterm birth or low-birth-weight infant; it is possible that an adolescent mother may have to provide Kangaroo mother care (KMC)
The adolescent mother, who is likely to have her first experience of motherhood, may have to be supported to ensure that she is able to provide KMC and the routine care for her preterm infant
Summary
In South Africa in 2018, 9.4% of adolescents aged 15–19 years gave birth (Statistics South Africa 2018b:19). In the Western Cape in 2016, 9.6% adolescents aged 15–19 years gave birth (Statistics South Africa 2018a:26). In the Western Cape province in South Africa, mothers have to provide Kangaroo mother care (KMC) to their infants with a birth weight of less than 2000 g (Western Cape 2011:9). Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is the practice of skin-to-skin contact between an infant and parent and has been found to improve the growth and decrease the morbidity and mortality of low-birth-weight and premature infants. Adolescent pregnancy is associated with a preterm birth or low-birth-weight infant; it is possible that an adolescent mother may have to provide KMC. The literature review did not reveal any research conducted in the Western Cape province on the experiences of adolescent mothers whilst providing KMC. Important to conduct research on this phenomenon so that the lived experiences of adolescent mothers whilst providing KMC can be described
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have