Abstract:

Background: Kangaroo mother care is a key component of effort to reduce the neonatal mortality, by being a low cost and effective enhance the mother’s ability to improve the child’s health. Approximately 1 million children die each year due to complications of preterm birth, as defined by WHO, LBW as birth weight less than 2500g regardless the gestation age. Birth weight less than 1500g is very low birth weight (VLBW) and less than 1000g is defined as extremely low birth weight (ELBW), with among other complications that these neonates face the major contributor to mortality being hypothermia. In this practice the mother uses her body temperature to keep infant warm preventing demise from cold injury. However, not much is known about the knowledge of Kangaroo Mother Care to mothers with preterm babies on its importance, simplicity and easy method of caring newborns among post-delivery mothers with preterm and LBW infants at Bugando Medical Centre.

Objective: To assess the knowledge and practice of Kangaroo Mother Care practice among post-delivery mothers with preterm and LBW infants at Bugando Medical Centre.

Methodology: Hospital based cross-sectional study among post-delivery mothers with preterm and LBW infants, practicing Kangaroo Mother Care at Bugando Medical Centre. A structured questionnaire interviews was used to collect socio-demographic data and assess the knowledge of Kangaroo Mother Care practice. Knowledge translation and data dissemination: After data analysis, the final report was shared with the authorities in the respective study areas.

Results: this study shown that the knowledge score pertaining knowledge and practice of kangaroo mother care among post-delivery mothers in Bugando medical Centre, Mwanza, Tanzania is 58.6%. the finding revealed moderate knowledge and awareness of Kangaroo Mother care.