Improving care for low birth weight infants in resource-limited areas
Enhancing the Survival of Low Birth Weight Infants in Low Resource Settings using an Implementation Science Approach
This study is looking at how Kangaroo Care—holding your baby skin-to-skin and breastfeeding—can help low birth weight babies thrive, especially by supporting moms in continuing this practice at home, even when resources are limited.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10951866 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the survival of low birth weight infants by implementing Kangaroo Care, which involves skin-to-skin contact and exclusive breastfeeding. The study aims to address barriers that prevent mothers from continuing this practice at home, particularly in low-resource settings. By providing emotional and informational support, as well as essential care items, the research seeks to empower families to improve the health outcomes of their infants. The approach is grounded in the Information, Motivation, and Behavior model to ensure effective implementation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are mothers of low birth weight infants, particularly in low-resource settings.
Not a fit: Patients who may not benefit from this research include those with infants who are not classified as low birth weight or those in high-resource settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the survival rates and health outcomes of low birth weight infants in underserved communities.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that Kangaroo Care is effective in improving outcomes for low birth weight infants, making this approach both tested and promising.
Where this research is happening
Columbia, United States
- University of South Carolina at Columbia — Columbia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kanyangarara, Mufaro — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Kanyangarara, Mufaro
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.