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

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.

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.

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.

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.