Maternal Experiences of Home-based Kangaroo Mother Care Following Discharge from a Rural-Urban Health Facility, Nsawam Government Hospital, Ghana
Patricia Cyriaano *
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Nsawam Government Hospital, Nsawam, Eastern Region, Ghana and Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, Accra, Ghana.
Ani-Amponsah, Mary
Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, Accra, Ghana and Maternal and Child Health Department, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Ghana, Accra 0244-368205, Ghana.
Richardson Doris
Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, Accra, Ghana.
Acquah Hannah
Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, Accra, Ghana.
Dzigbordi Kpikpitse
Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, Accra, Ghana.
Keren-Happuch Twumasiwaa Boateng
Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, Accra, Ghana and Midwifery and Women’s Health Department, School of Nursing and Midwifery. University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.
Gyepi-Garbrah, Alberta
Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, Accra, Ghana and 37 Military Hospital, Child Health Department, Accra, Ghana.
Olivia Nyarko Mensah
Ghana College of Nurses and Midwives, Accra, Ghana and Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Post Office Box KS 110, Adum-Kumasi, Ghana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Preterm birth (PTB) is the leading cause of child mortality worldwide and Sub-Saharan Africa is disproportionately affected. Inadequate access to cost-effective interventions in most poor resource areas threatens to increase preterm birth related mortalities. Kangaroo mother care has proven to be a cost-effective intervention and has reduced death as a result of complications of PTB by half.
Purpose: This study therefore sought to explore and document the experiences of mothers regarding KMC following discharge from Nsawam Government Hospital.
Methods: An exploratory descriptive design was used to collect data from mothers who had preterm births and their experiences of practicing kangaroo mother care at home. Fourteen participants in the Nsawam municipality were purposively selected to participate in the study. Data was analyzed using inductive thematic analyses.
Findings: The findings of the study indicated that mothers are encouraged to practice KMC based on the benefits of KMC like provision of warmth, bonding and improvement in growth and development. The study also indicated that support systems available to mothers at home included family, churches, community and healthcare providers.
Recommendations: The study recommended that; proper follow-up care should be undertaken by clinicians on mothers practicing KMC especially in their respective home environment to ensure adherence KMC practice experiences in the home.
Keywords: Preterm, kangaroo mother care, experiences, mothers, skin to skin.