Experience of Indonesian Mothers in Implementing Kangaroo Mother Care During Hospitalization with Low Birth Weight Neonates

Abstract

Background: Parents who have babies with Low birth weight (LBW) face various challenges. LBW caused
various problem to child. Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is the factor is an effective and safe alternative way
of treating neonates with LBW. The aim is to describe the barriers and mothers’ experience in implementing
KMC during hospitalization with LBW neonates in Medan, Indonesia.
Study Design: A qualitative study with phenomenological approach.
Method: The instruments used in this study are made up of demographics data, semi-structured interview,
field notes and observation guidelines with reference to the Indonesian Ministry of Health and the Indonesian
Perinatology Society modules.
Results: Mothers had moderate knowledge (33%) about KMC and poor knowledge (47%) about its benefits.
The negative attitudes of the mothers 40% were due to the limited available facilities which cause inefficient
implementation and reduce the mothers’ motivation in performing KMC for their babies. Mothers with
negative attitude towards its implementation were 40%, as they did not get enough support from the family.
Conclusions: KMC implementation during hospitalization was not optimal due to various factors. Those
barriers could be identified from the lack of KMC socialization programs, the limited number of trained nurses
who have knowledge and skills about KMC, nurses’ attitudes that show lack of support and commitment in
implementing KMC programs and cultural factors that are still unfriendly with the KMC program.