Post-discharge home kangaroo mother care follow-up study in rural Gujarat

ABSTRACT Continuation of kangaroo mother care (KMC) at home is vital for improved infant survival and development. Hence, it is essential to understand potential enablers and barriers to home KMC provision. This observational study was conducted in rural Gujarat. KMC was initiated for all low-birth-weight (LBW) neonates during the hospital stay and were advised to continue home KMC on discharge. The mothers of these LBW neonates were interviewed using a structured questionnaire during follow-up visits or via telephone. A total of 100 mothers were interviewed, and 98 practiced home KMC. Mothers’ mean age was 24.41 (±3.1) years, and infants’ mean age was 3.48 (±1.81) months. The mean weight of neonates at discharge was 1.85 (±0.28) kg. Out of the 104 neonates (96 singleton pregnancies and four twins), 76 (73.07%) were pre-term. 31% mothers provided 4–6 hours of daily KMC. 60% provided KMC for less than 1 hour during each session, while 36% of mothers provided each KMC session for 1–3 hours. 74% of mothers received family support, and 62% faced difficulties in home KMC provision. 88% of mothers were homemakers, and 53% had other children to care for. 51% mothers pre-maturely discontinued KMC provision. 83% of the mothers reported fatigue or pain during KMC provision. Lack of family support, other household responsibilities, and other children to care for were major barriers leading to pre-mature discontinuation of home KMC.