Effects of Implementation of Guideline for Kangaroo Care on Nurses’ Attitudes and Behaviors Toward Kangaroo Care

Main Article Content

Kittithorn Matasan
Somsiri Rungamornrat
Sudaporn Payakkaraung

Abstract

Background: Promoting kangaroo care is essential for preterm infants and requires close nursing supervision and support. Therefore, it is necessary to develop evidence-based kangaroo care practice guidelines that are appropriate to the specific context of the unit.


Objectives: This study examined the effect of a kangaroo care guideline on nurses’ attitudes and behaviors toward kangaroo care.


Methods: The study used a one-group quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design. Twenty-seven registered nurses working in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) were recruited. The guideline was developed by the researcher based on the PARIHS framework and relevant empirical evidence. To facilitate implementation of the guideline in clinical practice, the intervention included a structured workshop with video demonstrations, computer-based materials, and simulation scenarios. Data were collected using a nurse demographic questionnaire, the Nurses’ Attitudes Toward Kangaroo Care Questionnaire, and an observational assessment form of nurses’ kangaroo care–promoting behaviors, and analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-test, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test, simple linear regression, and multiple regression analysis.


Results: The results showed that nurses’ mean attitude scores toward kangaroo care increased significantly following implementation of the practice guideline (t=11.73, p<.001). Nurses’ median behavior score in promoting kangaroo care also increased significantly from the first to the second post-implementation assessment (Z=4.06, p<.001). In addition, nurses’ attitudes toward kangaroo care significantly predicted their kangaroo care–promoting behaviors (F=8.383, p=.002).


Conclusion: The kangaroo care practice guideline was effective in improving nurses’ attitudes and behaviors toward kangaroo care.

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How to Cite
Matasan, K., Rungamornrat, S., & Payakkaraung, S. (2026). Effects of Implementation of Guideline for Kangaroo Care on Nurses’ Attitudes and Behaviors Toward Kangaroo Care. BCNNON Health Science Research Journal, 20(2), e288727. retrieved from https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/JHR/article/view/288727
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Original Articles

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