Kangaroo Mother Method: level of knowledge and attitude of the mother of the premature baby

Abstract

Introduction: Preterm birth represents a public health problem that entails high morbidity and mortality rates. The Kangaroo Mother Method emerged as an
alternative for the care of premature neonates. Objective: to determine the level of knowledge and attitude of the mother of the premature infant towards this method in the Neonatology Service of the Concepción Palacios Maternity Hospital in Caracas. Methods: quantitative, descriptive, observational and cross-sectional field research, with a sample of 288 mothers of newborns in the period from June to August 2024. Results: the
mothers were predominantly young (19 - 35 years 53.8%)of urban origin (95.8 %), high school graduates (56.9%) and single (58.7 %). The majority lived with the father of their child (78.8%), received family support (80.2%) and belonged to extended families (61.5%). With a history of up to three pregnancies (75.7%) and three births (93.1%), abortions and molars were recorded in 19.1% and 2.8%. 74.3% of births were by cesarean section, and 9.7% had a history of prematurity. The newborns were mostly male (64.2%), born between 32 and 37 weeks of gestation (76.7%), with a weight of 1,500- 2,500 gr (78.1%). The level of knowledge about the Kangaroo Mother method was high (91.7%) and the attitude of the mothers was positive (100%). Conclusion: the mothers showed a high knowledge and favorable attitude towards the method. Sociodemographic factors such as family type and urban origin influence this knowledge.