Background & objectives:Kangaroo mother care (KMC - early continuous skin-to-skin contact between mother and infants) has been recommended as an alternative care for low birth weight infants. There is limited evidence in our country on KMC initiated at home. The present study was undertaken to study acceptability of KMC in different community settings.Methods:A community-based pilot study was carried out at three sites in the States of Odisha, Gujarat and Maharashtra covering rural, urban and rural tribal population, respectively. Trained health workers provided IEC (information, education and communication) on KMC during antenatal period along with essential newborn care messages. These messages were reinforced during the postnatal period. Outcome measures were the proportion of women accepting KMC, duration of KMC/day and total number of days continuing KMC. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were also carried out.Results:KMC was provided to 101 infants weighing 1500-2000 g; 57.4 per cent were preterm. Overall, 80.2 per cent mothers received health education on KMC during antenatal period, family members (68.3%) also attended KMC sessions along with pregnant women and 55.4 per cent of the women initiated KMC within 72 h of birth. KMC was provided on an average for five hours per day. Qualitative survey data indicated that the method was acceptable to mothers and family members; living in nuclear family, household work, twin pregnancy, hot weather, etc., were cited as reasons for not being able to practice KMC for a longer duration.Interpretation & conclusions:It was feasible to provide KMC using existing infrastructure, and the method was acceptable to most mothers of low birth infants.

In 353 neonates, foot length were recorded along with birth weight, crown heel length and head circumference. Foot length correlated well with all three indices (p less than .01). Highest correlation in preterm babies was with crown heel length and weight, and in term babies with head circumference. The formula, length = footlength x 6.5 +/- 20 mm could be correctly used in 95% of babies. When it is difficult to weigh or measure the length accurately, foot length can serve as a useful measurement to assess a baby quickly.

A KAP evaluation of urban educated parents revealed suboptimal, superficial transfer of immunization knowledge. Poorer dose-related knowledge as compared to vaccine awareness contributed to partial immunization. Non-availability of vaccine contributed to 18.7% unprotected children, and therefore all logistics must be overcome to remedy service default. The unacceptable level of knowledge found in final year nursing and medical students, points out the need to restructure immunization related teaching in our hospitals. Incorporation of immunization based knowledge in high school curriculum is also recommended. It is important that areas of relevant information and education must be delineated time to time with increasing vaccination coverage.

Serum zinc was estimated in the cord blood of 60 neonates of different gestational age and birth weight, and their mothers. Mean serum zinc levels in neonates FTGA, PTAGA and term SGA were 128.88 +/- 14.37, 94.32 +/- 17.79 and 111.8 +/- 9.2 ug/dl respectively. The maternal serum zinc levels in corresponding groups was 96.28 +/- 19.48, 115.44 +/- 15.41 and 93.8 +/- 7.62 ug/dl. Thus mean serum zinc level in cord blood of FT AGA newborns was significantly higher than that in PT AGA and FT SGA. Mean serum zinc level in mothers of FT AGA was significantly lower than that in mothers of PT AGA. However, there was no significant difference between the maternal serum zinc levels of FT AGA and FT SGAs. There was positive correlation between gestational age and serum zinc level in cord blood of AGAs while correlation was negative in case of their mothers. There was positive correlation between weight (keeping gestational age constant) and serum zinc level in case of neonates while corresponding maternal zinc levels did not vary. (FT AGA and FT SGA).

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