Effectiveness of Kangaroo Care on Temperature and Weight Gain in Low Birth Weight Babies of Post Natal Mothers at Selected Hospitals in Madurai, Tamil Nadu

Mrs. M. Sathyakala

Lecturer, Dept. Child Health Nursing and Nursing Foundation,

Vinayaka Missions Annapoorana College of Nursing, Chinnaseeragapadi, Sankari Main Road, Salem.

*Corresponding Author Email: sathyachithu2015@gmail.com

ABSTRACT:

The quantitative approach was used to evaluate the effectiveness of Kangaroo care on temperature and weight gain in Low Birth Weight babies of Post natal mothers at selected hospitals, Madurai. The research design used in the study was quasi experimental pre test-post test control group design. This study was conducted in the NICU of selected hospitals such as Navamani Childrens Hospital, Apollo Multi Speciality Hospital, Aberam Childrens Hospitals and Karthik Childrens Hospital at Madurai The target population of the study was the post natal mothers of LBW babies in selected hospitals in Madurai, who were admitted in NICU during the month of 09.06.2008 to 04.07.2008. Sample size consisted of 50 Low birth weight babies of mothers i.e. 25 in experimental group and 25 in control group. Non probability, purposive convenient sampling was used to select the subjects. The data was collected by using following instrument

Section – I : A planned interview schedule which has two sections.

Part A : Demographic proforma of the mother and new born.

Part B : Planned interview questions on knowledge Kangaroo care of LBW babies.

Section II : An observation check list for the technique of practicing Kangaroo care.

Section III : An assessment tool to check the effectiveness of Kangaroo care on temperature and weight during pre test and post test. Pretest was conducted both the groups by planned interview schedule and observed the practice and the planned teaching was conducted only to the experimental group. Then the Kangaroo care was given continuous three days at one hour duration, Pre and post temperature and weight was checked. On the third day post test was conducted to the both experimental and control group. Each day 2-3 mothers of LBW babies were assessed. The collected data were analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics (independent ‘t’ test) and Chi-square analysis was also used and it was found to be effective when compared with pre test and post test scores. The experimental group showed significant improvement in temperature and weight. 95% confidence interval of difference in temperature (0.36991 – 0.17409). 95% confidence interval of difference in weight (0.06151 – 0.07081).

INTRODUCTION:

The new born baby is a miraculous gift of nature, the result of 40 weeks of life in warm, snug and fluid filled intrauterine environment. After its birth, the intrauterine life present a challenge to the normal new born baby. When the baby is born much earlier than expected and when it is very small and weak, the challenge to adjust to intrauterine life is much greater than for normal term babies³.

Globally it is estimated that 17% of live born infant are low birth weight. It focused only in South Asia 37% and India 33% of birth, are pre term or low birth weight babies. WHO, 2007 estimated that low birth weight infants constitute 1/6^th of the total annual global live birth in the ratio of preterm to small for date infants⁵.

According to the annual report of ICMR, New Delhi in 2002-2003 among 16, 611 deliveries recorded in 10 centres 18.5% were preterm and in 2003-2004 among 18,074 neonates 22.5% were low birth weight, 7.2%, preterm 0.3% hypothermia the primary cause of death is 45% asphyxia, 30% prematurity, 12% malformation and infection. Out of 147 preterm babies half were appropriate for gestational age and remaining were small for gestational age babies 31% were full term and 69% were preterm. Globally, each year 25 million babies are born with LBW⁶.

Kangaroo mother care is a method of holding an infant with skin to skin contact, prove and upright on the chest of the parent. It promotes better maintenance of temperature, better maintenance of regular heart rate, respiration and oxygen saturation, low oxygen requirement, less aphea, improved pulmonary function, reduced crying, improved sleep, increased feeling of security, rapid weight gain, reduction in gastric reflux, reduction in hospital stay, improved bonding between baby and parent. Lactation for longer period, more milk production, promotion of self confidence, increased self esteem and decreased maternal stress⁴.

Infants given Kangaroo care gained weight more quickly than babies not given; weight can often leads to shorter hospital stays. Mothers are able to control the infants temperature better than an incubator⁴. Nurses working in neonatal care units play a vital role in providing an individualized comprehensive care for high risk LBW babies based on their needs².

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

A Quasi – experimental study to assess the effectiveness of Kangaroo care on temperature and weight gain in Low birth weight babies of post natal mother at selected hospitals, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

1. To assess the level of knowledge of Kangaroo care among the mothers of LBW babies.

2. To assess the practice of Kangaroo care among the mothers of LBW babies.

3. To assess the temperature of LBW babies of control group.

4. To assess the temperature of LBW of experimental group.

5. To assess the weight of LBW babies of control group.

6. To assess the weight of LBW babies of experimental group.

7. To determine the effectiveness of Kangaroo care among the experimental group after pre and post test.

8. To compare the temperature and weight of LBW babies in experimental and control group after Kangaroo care.

9. To find out association between knowledge of Kangaroo care with demo variables such as Age, Education, Occupation, Parity, type of family, Place of Residence and total income.

10. To find out association between Practice of Kangaroo care with demo variables such as Age, Education, Occupation, Parity, type of family, Place of Residence and total income.

HYPOTHESIS:

H₁: Post test knowledge score of mothers of LBW babies who are exposed to the planned teaching programme on kangaroo care will be significantly higher than that of control group who are not exposed STP.

H₂:There will be significant relationship between temperature and weight gain among the mothers of LBW babies of experimental group and control group after Kangaroo care.

H₃:There will be a significant association between the post test knowledge score of mothers of LBW babies in experimental group and selected demographic variables.

H₄:There will be a significant association between the post test practice score of mothers of LBW babies in experimental group and selected demographic variables.

METHODOLOGY:

Research approach: Quantitative evaluative research approach.

Research Design: Quasi experimental pre test-post test control group design.

Setting, Population and Sample and Sampling Technique

This study was conducted in the NICU of selected hospitals such as Navamani Childrens Hospital, Apollo Multi Specialty Hospital, Aberam Childrens Hospitals and Karthik Childrens Hospital at Madurai The target population of the study was the post natal mothers of LBW babies in selected hospitals in Madurai, who were admitted in NICU Sample size consisted of 50 Low birth weight babies of mothers i.e. 25 in experimental group and 25 in control group. Non probability, purposive convenient sampling was used to select the subjects. The conceptual frame work was used for this study was derived from general system model given by Von Ludwig Bertanlaffy (1968). Modified Betty Newmann’s System Model.

PROCEDURE FOR DATA COLLECTION:

Formal administrative permission to conduct the study was taken from Medical Superintendent of selected hospitals. In order to obtain a free and true response the subjects were explained about the purpose and usefulness of the study and assurance about the confidentiality of their responses that were provided. The study was carried out on 50 mothers who fulfill the inclusive criteria of the sample, among this 25 mothers were in experimental group and 25 mothers were in control group, the sample were selected by using purposive convenient sample. Pretest was conducted both the groups by planned interview schedule and observed the practice and the planned teaching was conducted only to the experimental group. Then the Kangaroo care was given continuous three days at one hour duration, Pre and post temperature and weight was checked. On the third day post test was conducted to the both experimental and control group. Each day 2-3 mothers of LBW babies were assessed. During the data collecting period the researcher maintain good rapport with the mothers of LBW babies and family members with their full cooperation the researcher finished data collection successfully.

Data Analysis

The data collected from the respondents were coded and entered in data sheet. The data entered were thoroughly checked for the correctness of the entries. The data analysis was done by using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings

Table-1. Distribution of effectiveness of Kangaroo care among experimental group No. 25

Variables

Mean

S.D

‘t’ value

Level

of significance

Temperature 1-3 day

0.27200

0.237206

5.733

0.000 (S)

Weight

1-3 day

0.06616

0.1126

29.357

0.000 (S)

S- Significant at 0.05 level df = 24

The effectiveness of Kangaroo care was compared between 1^st day and 3^rd day. The paired ‘t’ test was applied for statistical analysis. The experimental group showed significant improvement in temperature and weight. 95% confidence interval of difference in temperature (0.36991–0.17409). 95% confidence interval of difference in weight (0.06151–0.07081) (Table-1)

In table-2, since the significant value is less than 0.05, it is noted that there is experimental group has improved in temperature to a small extent. Since significant value is greater than 0.05, it is noted that there is no significant different in weight that is there is no improvement in weight.

Variable	Control group		Experimental group		‘t’ value	Level of Significance
Variable	Mean	S.D	Mean	S.D	‘t’ value	Level of Significance
Temperature	36.3387	0.23593	36.7560	0.48816	6.478	0.000 (S)
Weight	1.9766	0.33707	2.0520	1.03953	0.487	0.628