Improving the uptake of Kangaroo Mother Care in neonatal units: A narrative review and conceptual framework

Kangaroo Mother Care is a beneficial intervention for high-risk infants; however, global uptake is lacking. Recent systematic reviews have collated the numerous studies that identify diverse barriers and enablers to the use of Kangaroo Mother Care. In this narrative review, we combine the findings of these systematic reviews with more recent studies to propose a conceptual framework, encompassing factors that may affect the initiation and maintenance of Kangaroo Mother Care in neonatal units. Conclusion This conceptual framework includes parental, healthcare professional, and healthcare system factors, and highlights the potential interplay between them. In line with this, we suggest strategies to improve the uptake of Kangaroo Mother Care in neonatal units.

Automated summary

Kangaroo Mother Care is beneficial for high-risk infants, but global uptake is lacking. A conceptual framework encompassing factors such as parental, healthcare professional, and healthcare system factors is proposed to improve the initiation and maintenance of Kangaroo Mother Care in neonatal units. Through understanding the potential interplay between these factors, strategies can be developed to increase the uptake of Kangaroo Mother Care.