Abstract:
Background: Low Birth Weight babies are at greater risk of illness and death as they lack the ability to control their body temperature. Although Kangaroo Mother Care promotes the health of the neonates via improving their body temperature, only little is known about its utilization and factors influencing it.
Objective: To assess kangaroo mother care utilization and associated factors among mothers who have preterm /low birth weight neonates in north Showa zone, Amhara, Ethiopia, 2020.
Methods: Institutional based mixed study design was employed from February to May 2020 among 204 mothers. The data were collected using a semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire and document review. Three hospitals were randomly selected and proportional allocation was made. Then, systematic random sampling was applied to select the study participants. 10 key informants were proposed for an interview. Descriptive and analytical data analyses were applied using SPSS version 22. During bivariate analysis, factors whose p-value < 0.2 were taken to multivariable logestic regression analysis. Finally, variables with p-value <0.05 at 95% CI were considered as statistically significant. Thematic analysis of qualitative data was manually made and triangulated.
Result: A total of 195 mothers who have preterm neonates were interviewed with 95.6% response rate. Among all, 47 (24.1%) utilize kangaroo mother care. 4 variables were statistically associated with the utilization of KMC. Mothers who gave birth spontaneously were 6.76 times (AOR = 6.76, 95% CI: 1.59, 28.59) more likely to use KMC than those who delivered in cesarean section and mothers who got counseling were 6.76 times (AOR=6.76, 95% CI: 2.02, 22.63) more likely to use KMC than those who were not counseled. Respondents who were supported by professionals were 4.17 times (AOR= 4.17, 95% CI: 1.12, 15.60) more likely to use KMC than those who were not supported and mothers who had privacy were 6.19 times (AOR= 6.19, 95% CI: 1.18, 32.47) more likely to use KMC than those who did not have privacy .This finding is in line with qualitative data that states the utilization of this procedure was low due to inadequate infrastructure, inefficient counseling and the mothers’ cultural background impact.
Conclusion and recommendation: In the study area, kangaroo mother care utilization was found to be lower than most studies done in other countries but higher than a few studies in our country. Thus, it is recommended that kangaroo mother care needs to be promoted and practiced by taking measures on the affecting factors that prevent its utilization in health institutions consistently. Studies on kangaroo mother care acceptance and its application are also required.
