Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Nursing Staff Regarding Kangaroo Mother Care in Tertiary Care Hospitals Swat

Abstract

Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) is a dynamic neonatal intervention that promotes survival and development in premature and low-birth-weight babies through skin-to-skin interaction. Despite its established benefits, effective application depends deeply on nursing staff's knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). This research measures the KAP of nurses about KMC in tertiary care hospitals in Swat, Pakistan, aiming to identify gaps and improve neonatal care outcomes. A quantitative, cross-sectional strategy was used, with data collected from 336 nurses using organized questionnaires. Results indicated that most nurses have good knowledge (72.3%) and positive attitudes (68.5%) toward KMC, with 64.9% indicating satisfactory practice levels. However, variations exist based on experience and education, highlighting the need for targeted training programs. The study highlights the importance of institutional support, continuous education, and policy reinforcement to optimize KMC implementation. Results contribute to nursing research in low-resource settings and offer quality insights for healthcare policymakers to improve neonatal care standards.