ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE REGARDING KANGAROO MOTHER CARE AMONG NURSES OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF LAHORE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is an evidence-based approach to neonatal care that is especially beneficial for preterm and low birth weight infants. It involves continuous skin-to-skin contact, exclusive breastfeeding, and early discharge supported by appropriate follow-up care. Although KMC has well-established benefits, many nursing staff still have gaps in their knowledge, which can limit its effective implementation in neonatal care settings.

Objective: To assess nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) at a tertiary care hospital in Lahore, Pakistan.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 180 nurses aged 25 to 50 years at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, between June 2025 and March 2026. Participants were selected using purposive sampling and included Generic BSN, Post RN, and Diploma-qualified nurses with at least one year of clinical experience. Knowledge was assessed using a 10-item multiple-choice questionnaire based on a 5-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests, with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05.

Results: The post-intervention findings showed a statistically significant improvement in nurses' knowledge scores (p ≤ 0.05). Before the educational intervention, only 43.9% of participants reported confidence in their understanding of KMC principles, 41.2% demonstrated knowledge of correct infant positioning, and 44.5% regularly incorporated KMC into their care plans. Additional knowledge gaps were observed regarding infant selection criteria (43.9% familiarity) and awareness of challenges associated with KMC (42.7%). After the intervention, knowledge scores increased significantly across all assessed domains (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: The findings indicate that nurses have notable knowledge gaps related to Kangaroo Mother Care, but these can be effectively improved through structured educational interventions. Incorporating regular KMC training into nursing education and continuing professional development programs is recommended to strengthen clinical practice and improve neonatal health outcomes.