Kangaroo mother care in the African Neonatal Network hospitals: Resources, obstacles and practices

Authors

  • Alexander G. Stevenson
  • Danielle E. Y. Ehret
  • Iyabode Olabisi Florence Dedeke
  • Maume Ajimoh Phillips
  • Tendai Mutema
  • Pamela Henderson
  • Veronica Moses
  • Melissa Muparamoto
  • Loveness Nya Kwima
  • Nyaradzo Nyamburi
  • Benenia Muzuva
  • Elizabeth Siraha
  • Jocelyne Bukeyeneza
  • Barbara Namugga
  • Gemechis Wari
  • Olufunke Bolaji
  • Mahlet Abayneh
  • Redeat Workneh Tadesse
  • Helina Selam
  • John Baptist Nkuranga
  • Misrak Tadesse
  • Erika M. Edwards

Keywords:

Infant, Newborn; Premature; Infant Mortality / prevention & control; Kangaroo-Mother Care Method; Skin-to-Skin Contact; Neonatal Intensive Care Unit;

Abstract

Background: Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is a proven, low-cost intervention that improves survival and outcomes for preterm  infants. However, its uptake remains suboptimal, and data on KMC implementation across African hospitals are limited.
Objective: To document the current resources and practices related to KMC provision in hospitals within the African Neonatal Network.
Methods: Fourteen hospitals in the African Neonatal Network responded to an annual facility survey and a health facility survey co
-developed by faculty in the African Neonatal Network and Vermont Oxford Network. Additionally, a point-prevalence audit was conducted to evaluate KMC provision for all eligible preterm infants on a single day. All analyses use descriptive statistics.
Results: Only one hospital had a fully operational immediate kangaroo mother care (iKMC) unit, though four others were in the
process of establishing one. The spot audit showed that 50% of eligible infants were receiving skin-to-skin care at the time of assessment, and of those, 43% had received at least 18 hours of skinto- skin contact in the previous 24 hours. However, in five  hospitals, no infants had received any skinto- skin care in the preceding 24 hours. Key barriers to establishing iKMC units included  inadequate space, equipment shortages, staffing constraints, and concerns about safety.
Conclusion: While KMC and iKMC are being implemented in the African Neonatal Network hospitals, significant gaps remain in  resource availability and practice consistency. This study identifies key challenges and opportunities for improvement, highlighting  the need for continued monitoring and targeted interventions to enhance the provision of highquality KMC.

Author Biographies

  • Alexander G. Stevenson

    Alexander G. Stevenson
    Tendai Mutema
    Pamela Henderson
    Veronica Moses
    African Neonatal Network, Kigali,
    Rwanda and Harare, Zimbabwe.

    doctoralexstevenson@gmail.com
    Erika M. Edwards
    Danielle E. Y. Ehret
    Vermont Oxford Network and
    University of Vermont, Burlington,
    Vermont, USA
    Iyabode Olabisi Florence Dedeke
    Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta,
    Nigeria
    Maume Ajimoh Phillips
    Sacred Heart Hospital, Abeokuta,
    Nigeria .

  • Danielle E. Y. Ehret

    Vermont Oxford Network and
    University of Vermont, Burlington,
    Vermont, USA

  • Iyabode Olabisi Florence Dedeke

    Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta,
    Nigeria

  • Maume Ajimoh Phillips

    Sacred Heart Hospital, Abeokuta,
    Nigeria .

  • Tendai Mutema

    African Neonatal Network, Kigali,
    Rwanda and Harare, Zimbabwe.

  • Pamela Henderson

    African Neonatal Network, Kigali,
    Rwanda and Harare, Zimbabwe.

  • Veronica Moses

    African Neonatal Network, Kigali,
    Rwanda and Harare, Zimbabwe.

  • Melissa Muparamoto

    Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital,
    Harare, Zimbabwe

  • Loveness Nya Kwima

    Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital,
    Harare, Zimbabwe

  • Nyaradzo Nyamburi

    Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital,
    Harare, Zimbabwe

  • Benenia Muzuva

    Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital,
    Harare, Zimbabwe

  • Elizabeth Siraha

    Great Zimbabwe University,
    Masvingo, Zimbabwe

  • Jocelyne Bukeyeneza

    University of Rwanda/African
    Health Sciences University, Kigali,
    Rwanda

  • Barbara Namugga

    Mengo Hospital, Kampala, Uganda

  • Gemechis Wari

    St. Paul’s Hospital Millenium
    Medical College, Addis Ababa,
    Ethiopia

  • Olufunke Bolaji

    Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta,
    Nigeria

  • Mahlet Abayneh

    St. Paul’s Hospital Millenium
    Medical College, Addis Ababa,
    Ethiopia

  • Redeat Workneh Tadesse

    St. Paul’s Hospital Millenium
    Medical College, Addis Ababa,
    Ethiopia

  • Helina Selam

    Vermont Oxford Network,
    Burlington, Vermont, USA

  • John Baptist Nkuranga

    University of Rwanda/African
    Health Sciences University, Kigali,
    Rwanda

  • Misrak Tadesse

    Vermont Oxford Network and Johns
    Hopkins School of Medicine,
    Baltimore, Maryland, USA

  • Erika M. Edwards

    Vermont Oxford Network and
    University of Vermont, Burlington,
    Vermont, USA

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Published

2025-08-05

How to Cite

Kangaroo mother care in the African Neonatal Network hospitals: Resources, obstacles and practices. (2025). JOURNAL OF AFRICAN NEONATOLOGY, 3(3), 85-91. https://janeonatology.org/index.php/jan/article/view/178

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