ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to determine the outcome of kangaroo mother care (KMC) in low birth weight infants at a community hospital.
MethodsThis descriptive study included 87 mothers and their low birth weight infants who were in a stable condition and eligible for KMC at Dr JS Moroka Hospital, Thaba Nchu. The infants were assessed four times: at birth, twice during hospitalisation, and a week after discharge. Infants received breast milk exclusively.
ResultsRegarding the mothers' obstetric history (n=87), gravidity ranged from 1 to 7 (median 3), with a 43% incidence of miscarriage. The median birth weight of the infants (n=87) was 1.5 kg (first assessment), the discharge weight (third assessment) was 1.8 kg, and a week after discharge (fourth assessment) it was 2.2 kg. Initially the infants lost weight significantly from birth to the second assessment (95% CI for median decrease [-0.02; -0.01]), but significantly gained weight from the second to the third (95% CI for median increase [0.27; 0.33]) and from the third to the fourth assessment (95% CI for median increase [0.32; 0.45]). Approximately half (49%) of the infants had developed jaundice by the time of second assessment. These babies had a significantly lower birth weight [0.12;0.30].
ConclusionOur findings confirm that infants with a low birth weight treated with KMC can have a good growth pattern, and exclusive breast milk is sufficient to guarantee such growth. Kangaroo mother care is a safe method for stable infants with a low birth weight in a community hospital. SA Fam Pract 2007;49(5):15
Background: It is essential to manage and budget for primary health care in order to deliver a sustainable, accessible and quality health service to the majority of the population. The aim of the study was to establish the cost per script at the Heidedal Community Health Centre (HCHC) and at the National District Hospital (NDH) in Bloemfontein and to evaluate prescribing patterns, the protocols and use of the Essential Drug List (EDL) and Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) and to budget more accurately for medicine. Methods: During a two-month period, every fifth script dispensed at HCHC and NDH was included in the study and analysed until we had included 1 000 scripts from each facility. Results: The mean number of items per script at the CHC was 3.3 and at the DH was 4.1, and the mean cost was R14.66 versus R64.69 respectively. At HCHC, 62 025 prescriptions were dispensed and at NDH 56 312 were dispensed at an estimated total value of R 4.5 million during 2002. Conclusion: Many problem areas and incorrect prescribing patterns were identified and need to be addressed. Although the cost per script at primary care level is not high, the number of patients that need treatment is enormous. Primary health care is actually very expensive and good quality control is necessary.
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