Challenges Facing Mothers Who Practice Kangaroo Mother Care in Health Facilities; A Case of Dar es Salaam
[1]
Achilles Kiwanuka, Faculty of Nursing, International Medical and Technological University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
[2]
Sophia Tarabani, Faculty of Nursing, International Medical and Technological University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
[3]
Ezekiel Henry Mbao, Faculty of Nursing, International Medical and Technological University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
[4]
Felix Kisanga, Faculty of Medicine, International Medical and Technological University, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Kangaroo mother care has been proved scientifically to reduce morbidity and mortality of preterm infants since it maintains bonding between mother and infant as a result of skin to skin contact, protects infants against infection, stimulates milk secretion, reduces hospital long stay for the infant and provides good sleep pattern to infants because of comfortability from the mother. The objective of this study was to assess challenges facing mothers who practice kangaroo mother care method for their preterm or low birth weight babies in Dar es Salaam. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design. Mwananyamala hospital which is located in Kinondoni municipality was purposively selected for the study. The study population included mothers who practice kangaroo mother care method in the kangaroo unit of the hospital. Data was collected using structured interviews, focus group discussion and observation. Fifteen individual interviews and one focus group discussion were conducted. Data was analysed using content analysis methods where themes were developed from the responses. Major factors that affect kangaroo mother care include little knowledge of kangaroo mother care, fatigue of mothers, lack of cooperation from health care workers and unconducive environment of the wards. Recommendations from the study are that mothers should be educated on the importance of kangaroo mother care during the perinatal period, health care workers should encourage mothers to practice kangaroo method and hospital administrators should furnish the kangaroo wards with the necessary equipment.
Challenges, Health Facilities, Kangaroo Mother Care
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