Thesis:

Determinants of kangaroo baby care practice among mothers with preterm babies 0-2 months attending MCH clinic, Pumwani hospital, Nairobi, Kenya

The beneficial strategy for taking care of newly born infants irrespective of their weight, gestation period and the clinical condition is Kangaroo care. The method involves breastfeeding, skin to skin temperature control given to infants born prematurely. In low- cost neonatal units, the technique is utilized 24 hours per day (consistent KMC), yet in wealthy settings with cutting edge hardware, in spite of the proof of the security and availability of commodities there is constructive reduction in outcomes of KMC, the strategy is normally actualized as shorter sessions (intermittent KBC).Continuous KMC initiatives have been recommended, including in high tech units immediately after an infant is born followed by resuscitation and stabilization done initially where necessity then Kangaroo care initiation. At Pumwani Maternity Hospital, there has been an increasing trend of preterm birth from 18.3%, 24.8% and 29.9% in the year 2015, 2016 and 2017. Similarly, there has been increasing trends of mortality and morbidity; however systematic information about the existing challenges facing KBC practice is little. The main purpose of this study was to establish factors influencing Kangaroo baby care among mothers with preterm infants at Pumwani Maternity hospital, Nairobi County, Kenya. This was descriptive cross-sectional design, targeting a sample size of133respondents out of which 111 responded; structured pretested questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was then cleaned manually, coded, then analyzed by SPSS version 24 statistical software and presented in bar charts, pie charts and tables. Majority of the participants were aged between 2534 years (52.3%, n=58) with larger proportion having secondary education (45.9%, n=51). Protestants (55.9%, n=62) outweighed other religions and it was evident that majority of the mothers were married (72.1%, n=80). Source of income was majorly from business (34.2%, n=38), with majority (53.2%, n=59) earning more than Kshs. 20,000 per month. The study found out that the level of education of the mother, gestational age of the baby, birth weight of the baby and age of the baby by the time of study were significantly affecting practice of KBC at p<.05.the study concluded that of all the socio-demographic characteristics, only increase in level of education of the mothers was significantly associated with good practice of KBC at p<0.05. Having knowledge on KBC during pre-natal period, mothers in the ward assisting and supporting one another on KBC and receiving support and training on KBC from the nurses was associated with increased chances of good KBC practice but were not statistically significant in determining KBC practice.Babies birth weight below 1.5 kg, gestational age below 28weeks,and post delivery age above 28 days were statistically significant in determining KBC practice. The study recommended that the government should increase its sponsorship for free education because increased education levels were associated with good KBC practice. Also, the nurses should continue educating mothers to ensure that acquired high knowledge levels of KBC are maintained.