160 - To study the correlation between Kangaroo Mother Care given at hospital and at home in low birth weight babies.

Poster Number: 160
Publication Number: 160.112

Somashekhar M. Nimbalkar, Bhaikaka University, Karamsad, Gujarat, India; Krishna B. Herma, Pramukhswami Medical College, Rajkot, Gujarat, India; Dipen V. Patel, Bhiakaka University, Karamsad, Gujarat, India; Reshma Pujara, Shree Krishna Hospital, Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad, Karamsad, Anand, Gujarat, India; Ajay G. Phatak, Bhaikaka University, Karamsad, Anand, Gujarat, India

Background: Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) needs to be a standard of care for all low birth weight and premature babies as it has multiple benefits, with reducing mortality being the foremost one. It has high relevance in low-resource settings. Continuing KMC at home will ensure improved benefits for the newborn. There are very few studies that have studied the duration and factors related to KMC at home. Several factors affect KMC continuation at home.

Objective: To study correlation between KMC given at hospital and at home in LBW babies. To study barriers affecting KMC continuation at home.

Design/Methods: In this observational study, we included LBW neonates at tertiary level NICU of Shree Krishna Hospital. Those with congenital malformation were excluded.: KMC was initiated at hospital and continued at home. KMC was initiated in the hospital, duration of KMC given in hospital was recorded and regular follow up was ensured. On discharge, they were counseled about continuation of KMC at home. Duration of KMC was given at home was noted in a diary. Weekly follow-up was done till the newborn weighed 2.5 kg. Telephonic follow-up was also done. Barriers preventing KMC given at home were inquired at follow-up if few hours or no KMC was given. Duration of KMC was the main outcome measure.

Results: Total of 120 neonates were studied, of which 70 (58.3%) were male. The mean (SD) for Gestational Age, Birth Weight, Weight at discharge, age at the start of KMC, and weight at the start of KMC were 35.74 (2.45) weeks, 1925 (305.2) grams, 1926.76 (205.8) grams, 3.84 (3.72) days, 1854.2 (281.45) grams respectively. The Karl Pearson Correlation coefficient is 0.72, suggesting good correlation between KMC given at hospital and at home. Multiple Linear Regression between various independent variables like Gender of baby, Birth weight, Weight at discharge, and duration of KMC given at hospital with a duration of KMC given at home revealed that only the duration of KMC given at the hospital is statistically significant with the duration of KMC given at home (p value < 0.001, 95% CI: 1.9, 3.4). The model (KMC given at hospital) explains (adjusted R2 = 0.532) 53.2% observed variation in KMC at home.  Lack of motivation (n=51, 42.5%), lack of time (n=38, 31.7%), lack of privacy (n=20, 16.7%) and lack of family support (n=11, 9.2%) were important.Conclusion(s): The duration of KMC given at hospital influences the duration of continuing KMC at home. There are various barriers in continuing KMC at home.
Scatter Plot of KMC given at home vs hospitalThe r2 value suggests good correlation
Box plot showing KMC given at the hospital and at homeWeekly hours are compared