The Journal of Neonatal Nursing published a pioneering research study conducted by Nurse Rania Bannoura from Caritas Baby Hospital (CBH), titled "Kangaroo Mother Care in Preterm and Low Birth Weight Infants: Physiological Responses and Maternal Knowledge and Satisfaction in Neonatal Intensive Care Units in the West Bank, Palestine”.
The research was conducted in collaboration with highly qualified specialists from Palestine, adhering to the highest scientific standards at CBH and Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, under the supervision of the Arab American University as part of the requirements for Nurse Bannoura's master's thesis. The study highlighted the importance of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) as an evidence-based intervention that contributes to improving neonatal health outcomes and strengthening family-centered care in Palestine. The study primarily aimed to evaluate the physiological responses of preterm and low birth weight infants who received KMC, while also evaluating mothers’ knowledge and satisfaction with the practice.
The study also explored the feasibility of implementing KMC in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), highlighting its role in promoting breastfeeding, improving thermal regulation, enhancing cardiorespiratory stability, supporting healthy weight gain, and strengthening mother-infant bonding.
The results demonstrated that KMC is a safe, effective and low-cost intervention that contributes to improved neonatal health outcomes for newborns. The findings also support broader integration of this practice into routine neonatal care in Palestinian healthcare facilities, helping to reduce complications, shorten hospital stays, and improve the quality of care provided.
The study's findings provide a foundation for future research and could contribute to the development of national guidelines that support the implementation of KMC in neonatal units.
