A study to assess the knowledge on kangaroo mother care among mothers of low birth weight babies at JIPMER hospital, Puducherry

Introduction: Babies with the birth weight of less than 2500gm, irrespective of the period of their gestation are classified as low birth weight babies. About 25 to 30 % of babies in India are low birth weight babies. According to the census provided by the WHO in the year 2010, approximately 6 to 8 million low birth weight infants are born in India annually; it is not possible to offer special care to all low birth weight babies. Skin to skin contact (Kangaroo Mother Care) with the mother’s bosom provides biologically controlled heat source. Apart from provision of warmth it enhances infant-mother bonding and promotes breast feeding. If normalize infant physiology improves weight gain and provide sense of security to the baby. It has been demonstrated that Kangaroo Mother Care is associated with increased survival and reduced hospital stay. Objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge on Kangaroo Mother Care among the mothers of low birth weight babies at JIPMER and to associate the knowledge regarding Kangaroo Mother Care among the mothers of low birth weight babies with selected demographic variables at JIPMER. Methodology: The cross sectional descriptive research study was conducted among 100 mothers of low birth weight babies in the nursery, pediatric medicine wards, and pediatric surgery wards, pediatric OPD, Neonatal ICU, pediatric ICU, Clean Labor Room and Septic Labor Room of JIPMER Hospital. The subjects were selected by convenient sampling technique. The structured questionnaires were distributed to the Mothers of selected Low birth weight babies to assess their level of knowledge regarding Kangaroo Mother Care after obtaining an informed consent. Self-evaluation technique was used for most of the samples and interview method was used for some samples that were not able to read. Results: This study included majority of Mothers from age group 24 – 27 years of age (50%). The study revealed, majority of the Mothers (57%) had moderately adequate knowledge when compared to mothers who had inadequate knowledge (40%) and who had adequate knowledge (3%) regarding Kangaroo Mother Care. Conclusion: This study concluded that Mothers of Low birth weight babies have a moderately adequate knowledge regarding Kangaroo Mother Care. Analysis also proved that there is no relation between the knowledge and the demographic variables. Health education is an important aspect of nursing practice. Health education can have significant in improving knowledge and practice regarding Kangaroo Mother Care among all the Mothers. A nurse should create awareness among the mass and improve the knowledge regarding Kangaroo Mother Care.