Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on small and sick newborn care, KMC practice, facility visitation and follow-up care
| Total, n (%) | |
| Neonatal inpatient care during COVID-19 pandemic (n=623) | |
| Newborn unit admission capacity reduced | 229 (36.7) |
| Newborn unit/KMC areas are reallocated (for COVID-19 care or other care) | 91 (14.6) |
| Newborn unit/KMC staff are reallocated (for COVID-19 care or other areas) | 118 (18.9) |
| Babies are discharged earlier than usual | 273 (43.8) |
| Women/families refuse to stay in facilities that are marked as COVID-19 treatment centres | 197 (31.6) |
| KMC practice during COVID-19 pandemic (n=623) | |
| KMC ward admission capacity reduced | 172 (27.6) |
| Health workers more hesitant to promote KMC | 150 (24.0) |
| Women/families more hesitant to practise KMC | 105 (16.8) |
| Counselling/support focus shifted from KMC to hand hygiene, masks and social distancing | 237 (38) |
| KMC practised with improved hand and respiratory hygiene (ie, masks and tissues) | 321 (51.5) |
| Changes to KMC practice* (n=528) | |
| KMC practice has stopped | 37 (7.0) |
| KMC is practised as normal | 292 (55.3) |
| KMC is practised, but the daily duration of skin-to-skin contact is reduced | 140 (26.5) |
| KMC is initiated and babies are discharged home early | 163 (30.8) |
| KMC is practised in another area | 23 (4.4) |
| NSCU/NICU visitation during COVID-19 pandemic (n=593) | |
| Mother and family allowed as usual | 68 (11.4) |
| Mothers are permitted except for those who are COVID-19-positive | 304 (51.2) |
| Mother and family are not permitted | 24 (4.0) |
| Family members (other than mother) are not permitted | 266 (44.8) |
| Visiting hours are restricted | 237 (39.9) |
| Follow-up care during COVID-19 pandemic (n=435) | |
| Reduced space for follow-up clinic | 100 (22.9) |
| Less staff to conduct follow-up clinic | 142 (32.6) |
| Fewer appointments for each newborn | 211 (48.5) |
| Follow-up schedule has been changed | 178 (40.9) |
| Women/families reluctant to attend follow-up due to fear of infection | 319 (73.3) |
| Reduced attendance due to logistical reasons (eg, public transport disruptions) | 247 (56.7) |
| Home visits disrupted | 95 (21.8) |
| Telephone follow-up visits have been started. | 160 (36.7) |
*Changes to KMC practice were reported by 528 respondents due to embedded skip logic within the survey.
KMC, kangaroo mother care; NICU, neonatal intensive care unit; NSCU, neonatal special care unit.