Nigeria developing strategies to enhance implementation of early Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC)
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Date
2017
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
The number of healthcare institutions that has embraced Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) as an
effective and efficient method of neonatal care especially in Edo State, Nigeria has not
multiplied even after more than a decade of its recommendation by the World Health
Organisation (WHO) in 2003. Nigeria ranks seventh among the ten African countries where
newborns have the highest risk of dying with over 700 newborn deaths per10, 000 live births.
This is worrisome because Edo State is one of the 36 states in Nigeria that contribute about
6,700 neonatal deaths to the 255,500 mortality rate recorded in Nigeria annually. This has led
to a concern about the knowledge and attitude of the key drivers in neonatal care of simplified
methods aimed at reducing neonatal mortality despite previous training efforts.
The development of a strategy to enhance the early implementation of the WHO KMC
guidelines in all healthcare facilities across the state was therefore conceptualized. Strategies to
increase implementation are considered important to the success of KMC because reducing
neonatal mortality rate is contextual. This research aimed to explore and describe the
application of the KMC guidelines by the nurses, administrators and parents of preterm infants
in the care of premature babies and to develop strategies to enhance its early implementation in
healthcare facilities in Edo State, Nigeria.
Description
Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (Nursing)
Keywords
Kangaroo Mother Care, Health Facilities, Edo State, Strategy, Total
Quality Management, Socio-Cultural Practices