Progress with the implementation of kangaroo mother care in four regions in Ghana.

AIM

To measure progress with the implementation of kangaroo mother care (KMC) for low birth-weight (LBW) infants at a health systems level.

DESIGN

Action research design, with district and regional hospitals as the unit of analysis.

SETTING

Four regions in Ghana, identified by the Ghana Health Service and UNICEF.

PARTICIPANTS

Health workers and officials, health care facilities and districts in the four regions.

INTERVENTION

A one-year implementation programme with three phases: (1) introduction to KMC, skills development in KMC practice and the management of implementation; (2) advanced skills development for regional steering committee members; and (3) an assessment of progress at the end of the intervention.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Description of practices, services and facilities for KMC and the identification of strengths and challenges.

RESULTS

Twenty-six of 38 hospitals (68%) demonstrated sufficient progress with KMC implementation. Half of the hospitals had designated a special ward for KMC. 66% of hospitals used a special record for infants receiving KMC. Two of the main challenges were lack of support for mothers who had to remain with their LBW infants in hospital and no follow-up review services for LBW infants in 39% of hospitals.

CONCLUSIONS

It was possible to roll out KMC in Ghana, but further support for the regions is needed to maintain the momentum. Lessons learned from this project could inform further scale-up of KMC and other projects in Ghana.