Kangaroo Mother Care Practice During the Covid-19 Pandemic Among Postnatal Mothers of Preterms in Kenyatta National Hospital’s Newborn Unit

Abstract

Background: Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is a sound intervention for the care of premature infants. However, evidence indicates that country-level adoption and implementation of KMC, across the globe, remained sub-optimal. Covid-19 pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation and its effects on utilization of essential maternal and child health care services across the globe remained unclear. Objective: To assess the practice of kangaroo mother care during the Covid-19 pandemic among postnatal mothers of preterms in KNH’s Newborn Unit. Methodology: This was a cross sectional mixed-methods study conducted at KNH’s Newborn Unit. The study population consisted of 120 postnatal mothers of preterms admitted in the unit and 30 nurses working at the Newborn Unit. The study sample size consisted of 91 postnatal mothers of preterm babies who were selected using systematic sampling method and the 30 nurses working in the unit selected using census method. A researcher-administered questionnaire and an interview guide were used as the data collection instruments. The research instruments were pre-tested at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital using 10% of the study sample size. The quantitative data generated from the closed-ended questions was analyzed using descriptive statistics with Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS, version 24) and presented as percentages and frequencies. The qualitative data generated from the interviews was analyzed thematically using content analysis. Results: Of the 62 mothers that practiced KMC, most (80.6%) were practicing intermittent form of KMC while 24.4% did not practice KMC. Most (85.4%) of the mothers and all (100%) of the nurses were in support of KMC practice during the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic on account of its significant benefits to the infants. However, 86.6% of the mothers perceived Covid-19 pandemic as a serious threat to their babies in the context of KMC practice. Further, fear of contracting Covid-19 - 85.4%; fear of the baby contracting Covid-19 - 85.3%; inadequate KMC rooms/spaces - 100%; lack of KMC appropriate clothing - 74.4% and lack of/inadequate support from family - 62.2% were the leading factors impeding the mothers’ practice of KMC during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The need for more KMC rooms; provision of KMC appropriate clothing; strict application of Covid-19 prevention guidelines and need for greater support of KMC practice from the family were the suggestions given for enhancing the mothers’ KMC practice. Conclusion: Mothers of preterms at KNH had a positive perception towards practice of KMC during the Covid-19 pandemic, though they considered Covid-19 pandemic as a serious threat to their babies in the context of KMC practice. Recommendation: There is need for reinforcement among mothers of preterms at KNH on the need for continued practice of KMC during the Covid-19 pandemic........................