Effect of Kangaroo Mother Care on the Self-esteem of Mothers of Preterm Infants Hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Background: Preterm newborn birth is usually a challenge for the mother and the family. The mother feels inadequate for the care of her newborn and her self-esteem decreases. In this regard, this study aimed to determine the effect of Kangaroo other Care (KMC) on the self-esteem of mothers of preterm newborns. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 46 pairs of mothers and newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the Social Security and Shahid Sadoughi hospitals of Yazd City, Iran. We used available sampling; samples were placed in 2 groups of intervention and control. In the intervention group, the mother held the newborn in an upright position at the middle of her chest to establish skin to skin contact. KMC was performed for 30 minutes each day after feeding, for a period of 4 weeks. However, the control group received the regular process of care from NICU. The mothers’ self-esteem in both groups before and after KMC was evaluated and compared by Rosenberg questionnaire. Data analysis was performed by using the Fisher exact test, paired t test, and independent t-test. Results: The mean(SD) self-esteem score of the mothers in the intervention group was 25.826(2.480) after the study. However, in the control group, it was 9.609(2.016) (P˂0.001). The average self-esteem scores of mothers in both groups showed a significant difference prior to intervention (P=0.014); however, in the control group, it was reduced after performing routine nursing cares. Also a significant difference was observed between the self-esteem of mothers in the intervention group before and after intervention (P˂0.001). Conclusion: Kangaroo care increases the self-esteem of preterm infants’ mothers. Therefore, we recommended it to be performed for preterm infants.