A multi-year analysis of kangaroo mother care outcomes in low birth weight babies at a Nyakahanga Hospital in rural Tanzania

BACKGROUND: Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) requires few specialized resources, reduces mortality, and can be implemented in low resource environments. It is now recommended for implementation around the globe. OBJECTIVES: This paper discusses KMC use with low birth weight newborns at a Tanzania hospital providing valuable outcomes assessment of KMC use in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: The research used retrospective records (136 Low Birth Weight (LBW) and 33 Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) neonates) supplemented by observations. Data included weights (longitudinal), survival period, and cause of death if it occurred. This hospital's KMC use and study data began when the mother-baby dyad was referred, usually birth day. RESULTS: This KMC group demonstrated 70% survival, but 77% of deaths occur within 24 hours. After the first 24 hours, KMC survival rate was 92%. Even VLBW neonates (<1000 g) had 37.5% survival among the KMC program. Prematurity and respiratory distress caused nearly half of the deaths, but hypothermia (19% of deaths) and infection were factors also. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates the value of KMC in rural low resource environments. Results are comparable to KMC programs in urban areas where newborns begin KMC after stabilization and better than outcomes reported for comparable populations not practicing KMC in rural sub-Saharan Africa.