[Evaluation of the implementation of Kangaroo Care by health administrators, professionals, and mothers of newborn infants]

Abstract

This was a qualitative evaluation study aimed at both shedding light on the challenges and facilitating implementation of Kangaroo Care in Ministry of Health-accredited maternity care facilities in Brazil, from the standpoint of healthcare professionals and administrators and mothers of low birth weight newborns. Semi-structured on-site interviews were conducted at the maternity centers. The study used structural narrative analysis with the data analysis method. Key evaluative focal points identified were the method's importance in neonatal care and institutional support for its sustainability. As for the findings, the theoretical concept of institutional analysis was essential for achieving more in-depth reflection. Despite some resistance, the method is being implemented effectively in maternity care facilities; however, the study shows the need for periodic training and more resource allocation to enable improvement in the service's infrastructure, thereby resulting in more effective humanization of care.