Knowledge and Beliefs about Kangaroo Care among Nursing Students

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate nursing students' knowledge and beliefs about Kangaroo care (KC). METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Undergraduate students enrolled in departments of nursing (n=322) from three universities in D city participated. Knowledge and beliefs about KC were measured using the Kangaroo Care Questionnaire (KCQ). RESULTS: The overall level of nursing students' knowledge about KC was very low with a mean score of 6.9 out of 17. The mean score for nursing students' beliefs about KC was 87.4 out of 100, indicating relatively positive beliefs. The students who had both education and exposure to KC had higher scores for knowledge and more positive beliefs about KC compared to students with no experience or exposure to KC. There was a positive correlation between knowledge and beliefs about KC (r=.371, p<.001). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that there is a need to develop educational programs for nursing students in order to increase their knowledge and develop positive beliefs about KC.