Admission to Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) Ward and Maternal Postpartum Depression

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · Aug 8, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring whether spending more time in the Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) ward can help reduce feelings of depression in mothers of low birthweight babies. KMC involves holding your baby skin-to-skin, which is not only comforting but can also support their development. The researchers want to find out if longer stays in the KMC ward after the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can improve both the mental health of mothers and the development of their babies over time. They will also look at any challenges families face in practicing KMC once they go home and check how fathers are feeling as well.

To participate in this trial, mothers need to have a newborn with a birthweight between 1,000 and 2,000 grams who has been in the NICU for over 48 hours. Mothers should be at least 18 years old, living in Lusaka, and not planning to move in the next year. Participants will spend either less than two days or longer in the KMC ward with their babies and will return for follow-up visits to check on their mental health and their baby’s development at 6, 12, and 18 months. Overall, this study aims to provide valuable information that could help new mothers and their babies in similar situations.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • -AIM #1-2 and #5
• Mothers to newborns who are:
• • 1) Birthweight between 1000-2000gm 2) Admitted to the Women and Neonates Hospital-University Teaching Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (WNH-UTH NICU) (\>48hrs) 3) Stable preterm eligible for continuing kangaroo mother care (KMC) in the NICU or NICU discharge 4) 18+ years of age (Mother) 5) Residing within Lusaka with no intensions to relocate in the coming 12 months
• • AIM #3
• • 1. Parents (mothers and fathers) whose newborn has been enrolled in the study
• • 2. Trusted family member or friend of the mother whose newborns is enrolled into the study
• • 3. 18+ years of age
• * AIM # 4:
• • 1. Fathers whose newborn has been enrolled into the study
• • 2. 18+ years of age (father)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • AIM #1-2 and #5
• • 1. Mothers who are on treatment for depression and/or anxiety
• • 2. Mothers who did not consent
• • AIM #3
• • 1) Family members of parents who do not consent to study participation
• * AIM # 4:
• • 1. Fathers who are on treatment for depression and/or anxiety
• • 2. Fathers who did not provide informed consent