J Korean Clin Nurs Res.  2017 Aug;23(2):211-221. 10.22650/JKCNR.2017.23.2.211.

National Survey of Kangaroo Care Practice, Barriers, Knowledge, and Belief

• Kim HY
• Jang EK
• Lee JH
• Lee EJ
• Oh S
• Jo KS

• KMID: 2397659
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.22650/JKCNR.2017.23.2.211

Abstract

PURPOSE
A National survey was conducted to assess neonatal intensive care nurses' practice, barriers, knowledge, and belief regarding Kangaroo Care (KC).
METHODS
A descriptive survey was conducted. Kangaroo care questionares were sent to nurses in all hospitals in Korea whose were identified as providing neonatal intensive care services(N=263). Descriptive statistics were used to summarized the data.
RESULTS
Among 67 neonatal care units, 61.1% adapted KC in their practice. About 60% of nurses in the KC providing hospital actually practiced KC. Major barrier of practicing KC were infant safety concerns, as well as work load of nurses. Respondants who had practiced KC were more knowledgable and were more positive in their belief regarding KC.
CONCLUSION
The findings suggest that in order to overcome barriers of practicing KC, educational programs are recommended designed for nurses. In addition, development of KC practice guideline is necessary to facilicate successful and safe KC.

Keyword

Kangaroo Mother Care; Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU); Nurses' Practice Patterns; Knowledge

MeSH Terms

Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Intensive Care, Neonatal
Kangaroo-Mother Care Method
Korea
Macropodidae*
Practice Patterns, Nurses'