Knowledge, attitude and practice of kangaro mother care and Associated factors among health care professionals working in Nicu, jumc, jimma ,southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: KMC is a method invented by Dr. Rey in 1978 and developed by Dr. Martinez and Dr. Navarrete until 1994 defined as an early, uninterrupted, and prolonged skin–to–skin contact between mother and until the baby doesn’t remain in that position and the only breast nourishes child. Various works of literature also reported KMC as cost-effective intervention in reducing mortality and morbidity of preterm infants as well as affecting maternal health positively in low, middle, and high-income countries. Most studies on KAP of KMC focused on the perspective of preterm infant parents, while neglecting the perspective of healthcare providers, who played a critical role in guiding KMC practice. So, this study aimed to explore knowledge, attitude and practice of kangaroo mother care among health care providers in NICU. Objective: This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of kangaroo mother care among health care professionals working in NICU, JUMC, Jimma, southwest Ethiopia. Methods: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among health care professional’s working in NICU, JUMC, Jimma, southwest Ethiopia from September 20, 2024 to December 20, 2024. 100 Study participants were selected by using stratified random sampling method. Data was collected using pretested structured self-administered questionnaires prepared in English language divided to 4 sub-sections Sociodemographic, knowledge, and attitude and practice part. Collected data was entered into EpiData 3.1 analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive analysis was performed and ordinal logistic regression analyses were used to find out the association of independent variables. Statistical significance was considered at a p-value of less than 0.05. Results: A total of 99 participants were included in the study making response rate of 99%. Majority 94% had good knowledge, while 6% had a medium knowledge. Regarding overall attitude majority 72 % had positive attitude, while 25% showed a medium attitude and 4% had negative attitude towards KMC. In respect to practice 39% participants had good practice, 46% participants had medium practice and 14% had poor practice. Being BSC nurse, neonatal nurse, medical intern and work experience less than five years is negatively associated with knowledge towards KMC (p=.0, 001,001,0.002 and 0.003 respectively). Having work experience of less than 5 years is strongly associated with poor practice towards KMC (P=0.001) iv Conclusion and recommendation: From the above results, it is apparent that knowledge, attitude and practice among health-care professionals, is optimum. However, there are lots of gaps to be filled, especially practice related needs trainings and further interventional studies are recommended.