Implementation research on kangaroo mother care, Bangladesh
Anm Ehtesham Kabir1, Sharmin Afroze2, Zubair Amin3
1National Newborn and Child Health Cell, Directorate General of Health Services, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Bulletin of the World Health Organization
|January 12, 2022
Summary
Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) implementation in Bangladesh shows feasibility and potential to reduce low-birth-weight infant mortality. However, challenges remain in coverage, community expansion, and monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Neonatal Care
- Global Health
Background:
- Low-birth-weight and premature infants face higher mortality risks.
- Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a proven intervention for improving neonatal outcomes.
- Implementing KMC programs in low-resource settings presents unique challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the implementation, coverage, and performance of Bangladesh's national Kangaroo Mother Care program.
- To assess the impact of KMC on mortality rates in eligible infants.
- To identify challenges and areas for improvement in the national KMC program.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study analyzing data from January 2016 to March 2020.
- Inclusion of clinically stable neonates weighing under 2000g in government facilities.
- Tracking of facility numbers, infant enrollment, KMC uptake, mortality, and post-discharge follow-up.
Main Results:
- KMC facilities increased from 16 to 108; 6,410 infants received KMC.
- KMC uptake rose from 4.7% to 21.7% of eligible infants.
- Overall mortality was 1.2%, with a downward trend; post-discharge follow-up was low (15-20%).
Conclusions:
- Kangaroo Mother Care implementation is feasible in low-resource settings like Bangladesh.
- KMC demonstrates potential for reducing mortality among vulnerable newborns.
- Key challenges include expanding KMC coverage, community integration, and enhancing monitoring systems.
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