Exploring community kangaroo mother care practices among NICU graduates: a prospective cohort study in South India

AIM: To describe Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) practice in the community (cKMC) two months after discharge from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). in South Indian mother-LBW infants. METHOD: A prospective study enrolling 420 dyads at discharge from the NICU with follow-up on cKMC practice two months after discharge. Factors associated with cKMC were explored using logistic regression. RESULT: Among the 420 enrolled, 2 (0.5%) infants died, and 12 (2.9%) were lost to follow-up. Of the remaining families, 25% (101) never practiced cKMC, effective practice was done by 19% (77). Infant birth weight ≥ 1.5 kg (OR: 3.1, 95% CI 1.8, 5.3) was associated with higher odds of practicing cKMC, while being born at term (OR: 0.5, 95% CI 0.3, 0.8) and mothers' weight > 45 kg (OR: 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.7) was associated with lower odds of practicing cKMC. Continued KMC practice 48 h before discharge was associated with higher odds (OR: 3.4, 95% CI 1.8-6.2), while absence of father's support was associated with lower odds (OR: 0.6, 95% CI 0.3, 1.0) of effective cKMC. CONCLUSION: The continuum of cKMC after discharge from the NICU was inadequate. Factors associated with cKMC practice should be considered when planning interventions to improve cKMC practices.