Enablers and Barriers to Kangaroo Mother Care in Decentralized African District

Abstract

Background: Since its creation in the 1970s, Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) has proven many benefits, particularly in reducing mortality of premature or LBW new-borns in low resources settings. Unfortunately, its expansion, especially in Africa, remains insufficient. A KMC project set up over 2 years in the district hospital of Bonassama in Cameroon with a grant of the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG). After more than five years, its sustainability remained uncertain without external funds. We therefore thought to determine enablers and barriers to KMC in this health structure of a low resources African district. Method: Qualitative research by semi-structured interviews with 22 families and 6 caregivers who directly participated in the KMC program. Data analysis was based on a pre-established evaluation grid. Results: The main barriers to KMC parents were communitarian, based on prejudice against prematurity and LBW, direct costs for families