The Assessment Effect of Kangaroo Care on Maternal Stress of Premature infants Hospitalized in Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Mothers often feel anxious about giving care to their premature babies. This maternal stress is associated with negative attitudes and behaviors towards babies. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Kangaroo mother care on stress among mothers with premature babies. Methods & Materials: This quasi-experimental study was carried out on 46 pairs of mothers and their premature babies hospitalized in the ICUs of Shahid Sadooghi and Tamin Ejtemaee hospitals. The participants were selected using convenience sampling method and were assigned into two intervention and control groups. In the intervention group، the Kangaroo mother care was provided to the babies after breastfeeding for about 30 minutes once a day for four weeks. Maternal stress was measured using the Parental Stress Scale before and immediately after the intervention. Data were analyzed using the Chi-squared test، t-test، and Mann-Whitney test. The mean of stress score in mothers of the intervention and control groups were 102. 0 ± 17. 02 and 174. 52 ± 18. 25، respectively (P<0. 001). The stress score was significantly different before and after the intervention among mothers of the intervention group (P<0. 001). The Kangaroo mother care decreased stress score among mothers who had premature babies. The Kangaroo mother care is strongly recommended to be used by mothers with premature babies.