Anthropological overview of kangaroo care in community settings in Madagascar.
BMC Womens Health
; 23(1): 623, 2023 11 23.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37996854
ABSTRACT
The management of preterm births remains a major challenge in Madagascar, given the lack of equipped facilities in rural areas, and the absence of precise data concerning the incidence of such births. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the kangaroo method (skin-to-skin contact) for the management of preterm infants. In this article, we examine the conditions for success and the obstacles facing kangaroo care in community settings in Madagascar. We performed a qualitative research, collecting data from the districts of Antananarivo and Mahajanga in 2021. In total, 54 semi-structured interviews and two focus group sessions were conducted with the parents of preterm infants and healthcare professionals.The obstacles identified by the research included incomplete and inaccurate knowledge, leading to heterogeneity in the practice of kangaroo care arbitrary duration, lack of kangaroo care at night, exclusive breastfeeding, and only partially practiced skin-to-skin contact. We found that the conditions for success depended on (1) the healthcare system, (2) local interpretations of pregnancy, and (3) the structure of the infant's family. Failings of the medical system, cultural habits going against kangaroo care, and "nuclear" and/or "single parent" family structures undermine the application of this practice, jeopardizing upscaling efforts. We hope that the results of this research will guide community strategies for the management of preterm infants and kangaroo care.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Infant, Premature
/
Kangaroo-Mother Care Method
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Newborn
/
Pregnancy
Country/Region as subject:
Africa
Language:
En
Journal:
BMC Womens Health
Journal subject:
SAUDE DA MULHER
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Madagascar