Experiences of male partners participating in Kangaroo mother care within the hospital and home settings in Dedza District, Malawi

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Date
2018-10-01
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Low Birth Weight which is mainly due to prematurity, contributes to high neonatal mortality rates. Kangaroo Mother Care is the main intervention for the babies to survive. Many studies on KMC experiences have focused on mothers and health care workers, hence the need to focus on men who also provide Kangaroo Mother Care. The objective of this study was to explore the experiences of male partners participating in Kangaroo Mother Care within the hospital and the home settings in Dedza district. A qualitative design method was used. The study was conducted at Dedza District Hospital in Malawi including data from home settings. Data were collected through face to face in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide and a tape recorder. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The themes that emerged were: male partners’ perception of the experience with Kangaroo Mother Care, facilitators to male partners’ participation and barriers to male partners’ participation in Kangaroo Mother Care. The study revealed that most of the male partners had positive perceptions of their experience in participating in Kangaroo Mother Care at the hospital and at home such as perceiving it as a rewarding experience. However, there were barriers, such as health care worker attitude, hospital environment and lack of time. Health care worker support and community sensitization are key elements in ensuring male participation. The findings will give nurse midwives an insight that it is possible and essential to promote male partner participation in Kangaroo Mother Care and to develop more strategies that can enhance their participation.
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