Post-discharge home kangaroo mother care follow-up study in rural Gujarat

Background:Continuation of kangaroo mother care (KMC) at home is vital for improved infant survival and development. Hence, it is essential to understand potential enablers and barriers to home KMC provision.Methodology:This observational study was conducted in rural Gujarat. KMC was initiated for all low-birth-weight (LBW) neonates during the hospital stay and were advised to continue home KMC on discharge. The mothers of these LBW neonates were interviewed using a structured questionnaire during follow-up visits or via telephone.Results:A total of 100 mothers were interviewed, and 98 practiced home KMC. Mothers' mean age was 24.41 (+/- 3.1) years, and infants' mean age was 3.48 (+/- 1.81) months. The mean weight of neonates at discharge was 1.85 (+/- 0.28) kg. Out of the 104 neonates (96 singleton pregnancies and four twins), 76 (73.07%) were pre-term. 31% mothers provided 4-6 hours of daily KMC. 60% provided KMC for less than 1 hour during each session, while 36% of mothers provided each KMC session for 1-3 hours. 74% of mothers received family support, and 62% faced difficulties in home KMC provision. 88% of mothers were homemakers, and 53% had other children to care for. 51% mothers pre-maturely discontinued KMC provision. 83% of the mothers reported fatigue or pain during KMC provision.Conclusion:Lack of family support, other household responsibilities, and other children to care for were major barriers leading to pre-mature discontinuation of home KMC.