Launching continuous kangaroo mother care through participatory action research in Iran

Background This study describes the launching of a unit for continuous kangaroo mother care (KMC) in a teaching hospital (Taleghani) in Iran. Methods We used a participatory three-stage action research approach to establish a unit for continuous KMC: design (needs identification and planning for change); implementation (and reflection); and evaluation (and institutionalization). As part of the design and implementation stages, individual and focus group interviews were conducted with mothers, physicians, nurses, other healthcare personnel and policy makers. The evaluation was done by means of a standardized tool specifically developed for monitoring progress with the implementation of KMC. Results Four themes relating to potential barriers to implementation emerged from the analysis of the staff interviews, namely barriers associated with the mother, the father, the physician and the health system. Mothers’ experiences of barriers were grouped into five themes: personal discomfort, fear, healthcare provider attitudes and actions, infrastructure constraints and family matters. An implementation progress score of 27.05 out of 30 was achieved, indicating that the continuous KMC unit was on the path to institutionalization. Some of the gaps identified related to policies on resource allocation, the discharge and follow-up system, and the transportation of infants in the KMC position. Conclusion The study findings indicated that participatory action research is a suitable method for studying the establishment of a continuous KMC unit. When action research is practiced, there is a prospect of turning knowledge into action in the real world.