INTRODUCTION:

Nature's most precious gift to a woman is her baby and every woman look forward to have a healthy normal baby. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is an effective way to meet baby's needs for warmth, breast feeding, and protection from infection, stimulation, safety and love. Mother acts as an incubator as kangaroo and put low birth infant vertically in between the chest for warming. The term kangaroo care is derived from practical similarities to marsupial care-giving. The premature infant is kept warm in the maternal pouch and is close to the breasts for unlimited feeding. It provides an alternative to incubator care, without separation from the mother¹.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

A study to assess the knowledge regarding kangaroo mother care among postnatal mothers at JSS Hospital, Mysuru.

OBJECTIVES:

1) To assess the knowledge of postnatal mothers regarding kangaroo mother care.

2) To determine the association between the level of knowledge and their selected personal variables.

NEED FOR THE STUDY:

Today’s children are tomorrow’s citizens. The development and the prosperity of a nation depend on the health and development of growing children. The first month of a baby’s life is a most critical period. Over 80 % of the new born babies require minimal care, which can be provided by the mother under the supervision of basic health supervisor. Mother is the primary health worker to provide newborn care².

HYPOTHESIS:

H₁: There will be significant association between the level of knowledge regarding kangaroo mother care among post natal mothers and selected personal variables.

METHODOLOGY:

A descriptive study was conducted to assess the knowledge regarding kangaroo mother care among postnatal mothers. Ethical clearance was obtained from the institution. Formal administrative permission was obtained from the Medical superintendent of JSS Hospital, Mysuru. 60 postnatal mothers were selected conveniently. Data was collected regarding knowledge of kangaroo mother care by administering structured knowledge questionnaire. Data collected was analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics.

RESULTS:

Section 1: Demographic variables of nurses

Majority of postnatal mothers 32(53.3%) had poor knowledge regarding kangaroo mother care, followed by 27(45%) had average knowledge and 1(1.6%) had good knowledge regarding kangaroo mother care.

Section 2:

Table 1- Mean, median and standard deviation of knowledge scores of postnatal mothers regarding kangaroo mother care n=60

Group	Mean	Median	Range	Standard deviation
Postnatal mothers	9.18	9	01-23	±4.45

The knowledge scores ranged from 1-23,mean score was 9 with a standard deviation of ±4.45.

Table 2-Frequency and percentage distribution of level of knowledge of postnatal mother regarding kangaroo mother care

n=60

Si no	Level of knowledge	Frequency	%
1	Poor	32	53.3
2	Average	27	45
3	Good	01	01.6

Majority of postnatal mothers are 32 (53.3) had poor knowledge regarding kangaroo mother care, followed by 27 (45) had average knowledge and 1 (1.6) had good knowledge regarding kangaroo mother care.

The study also revealed that there was significant association between selected personal variables and level of knowledge regarding kangaroo mother care among postnatal mothers variables like age, Education, Religion, Number of pregnancy and Previous knowledge on kangaroo mother care were having significant association and other personal variables like place of residence, family income, type of family, type of diet and source of information were not having any significant association with the knowledge scores of postnatal mothers regarding kangaroo mother care at 0.05 level.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1) Similar study can be undertaken with larger sample to generalize the findings

2) An experimental study can be conducted to determine the effectiveness of planned teaching programme for postnatal mothers regarding kangaroo mother care.

CONCLUSION:

The finding of the study concludes that there is a need for educating the postnatal mothers regarding kangaroo mother care.

Study concludes that nurses had good knowledge and practice regarding blood transfusion whereby it implicates that transfusion reaction can be reduced to a greater extent and save the patient from these reactions.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

This is a project conducted by IV Year B. Sc. (N) students of JSS College of Nursing, Mysuru. Authors thanks Ms. Bhavini, Ms. Bincy Lukose, Ms. Chinchu Devasia, Ms. Femi Xavier, Ms. Greeshma Joshy, Ms. Selvi Joseph and participants of study.

REFERENCES:

1. Nyqvist KH, Anderson GC, Bergman N, Cattaneo A, Charpak N, A, Divan R, Worku B, et al. Kangaroo mother care for low birth weight infants: a randomized controlled trial in different settings. Acta Paediatric 1998; 87(9):976-85.

2. Davanzo R, et al. Towards Universal Kangaroo Mother Care: Recommendations and Report from the First European Conference and Seventh International Workshop on Kangaroo Mother Care. Acta Pædiatrica 2010;99: 820-26.

Received on 23.12.2015 Modified on 16.01.2016

Int. J. Adv. Nur. Management. 2016; 4(2): 139-140.

DOI: 10.5958/2454-2652.2016.00031.7