Perspectives of Male Partners Participation in Kangaroo Mother Care - a Cross-sectional Study at Mbagathi Level 5 Hospital

Abstract

Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over one million out of nearly fifteen million preterm babies born each year die secondary to prematurity complications globally. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) has been recommended as the main intervention for such infants to survive. However, there is low uptake of KMC among men, hence the need to focus on their perspectives towards the practice. Objective: This study explored perspectives of male partners’ participation in Kangaroo Mother Care in Mbagathi Level 5 Hospital. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional qualitative study involving 9 fathers with preterm and low birth weight neonates admitted in the newborn unit, Mbagathi Hospital. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling method on the basis of data saturation. Data collection was conducted through face-to-face in-depth interviews using an interview guide with the interviews audio-recorded using a Sony ICD PX333 digital voice recorder. Data were transcribed verbatim and were analyzed thematically using NVivo v.11 Software. Ethical principles adhered to during the study included beneficence, non maleficence, autonomy and justice. The study was approved by the KNH-UoN Ethics and Research Committee (Ref: KNH-ERC/A/489). Results: The participants’ support for their babies’ receipt of kangaroo mother care emerged as the overarching theme. It was however affected by cultural beliefs (gender roles and fathers’ lack of exposure to KMC), weakened socioeconomic status signified through disrupted work and financial constraints and their low knowledge of kangaroo care. Conclusion: The male partners were in support of the KMC practice. However, their perspectives of participation in KMC were influenced by various factors including cultural beliefs, socioeconomic status and their knowledge of kangaroo care. Recommendation: The male parents need to be adequately informed and trained about the KMC intervention. Further, they should also be allowed to actively participate in providing kangaroo care for their babies whenever possible