Knowledge and Readiness among Fathers of Pre-term Babies for Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)

Abstract

ABSTRACT KMC is identified by WHO as a biologically sound method of care for all new-born, particularly for low birth weight infants as part of their strategy to decrease the morbidity and mortality of premature infants. Methodology: A descriptive research study was conducted on 60 fathers of preterm babies admitted in NICU of DMC and Hospital, Ludhiana selected by convenience sampling technique. The structured questionnaire and checklist were used to assess the knowledge and readiness regarding kangaroo mother care. Result: Majority of the fathers [43 (71.07%)] had average level of knowledge, 8 (13.03%) had good knowledge whereas 8 (13.03%) had below average level of knowledge and only 1(1.07%) had very good knowledge. The overall mean knowledge score was 7.33±2.820. Findings revealed that 49.43% fathers had knowledge regarding introduction or general concept of KMC, 43.5% know about clothing during KMC, 29.15% of fathers know about the duration of KMC, 22.2% had knowledge regarding when to initiate KMC. No correlation (r=0.092) was found between knowledge and readiness. The finding revealed that previous information about KMC has significant association with knowledge (p=0.005) and religion had significant association with the readiness (p=.011). Conclusion: The present study concluded that majority of the fathers had average level of knowledge regarding Kangaroo mother care. Hence, there is a need to educate the fathers regarding kangaroo mother care. All the fathers show readiness regarding kangaroo mother care.