The effectiveness of kangaroo mother care in monitoring vital signs and preventing stunting risk in low-birth-weight infants

Low Birth Weight (LBW) infants have a greater risk of stunting and other non-communicable diseases. The highest causes of death were asphyxia and hypothermia. The Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) method as a simple intervention is based on evidence-based, which can maintain stability and improve the physiological condition of the baby’s body. This study was to determine the effectiveness of the KMC method in monitoring vital signs and preventing stunting in LBW. The study employed a quasi-experimental preposttest one group design, using a KMC carrier designed in the shape of a backpack. The number of respondents was 38 infants, selected by consecutive sampling. Data analysis used the Wilcoxon test. Bivariate analysis with the application of the KMC method for 4 hours/day on average experienced an increase in body weight 15 gr/day (p=0.011), an average increase in body length ≥0.2 cm/day (p= 0.049), infants received breast milk during the application of the KMC method (p= 0.013) the three variables were p-value <α(0.05), based on the Wilcoxon test with the use of KMC backpacks on LBW showed a significant relationship to infant growth in risk prevention stunting with a value (p=0.000<0.05). The use of KMC backpacks for LBW is effective in maintaining the baby’s vital signs and can prevent the risk of stunting. The KMC backpack is recommended as a safe, easy, inexpensive and effective non-pharmacological therapy to prevent hypothermia and the risk of stunting.