OBJECTIVE: to identify knowledge and practices related to Low Weight Newborn Humane Care - the Kangaroo Method by the medical and nursing staff in public maternity hospitals located in the city of Rio de Janeiro. METHOD: a cross cutting descriptive method performed by questionnaire application aiming at the management of eleven public maternity hospitals in the city of Rio de Janeiro, selected for the study, related to humane medical care for low weight newborns - the Kangaroo Method. One hundred and forty eight doctors and nurses working at these hospitals were interviewed. Of these, 116 professionals exclusively working in ICU answered specific questions related to care under the perspective of the Kangaroo Method. RESULTS: as for the strategies noted to minimize noise and luminosity, 39% of the professionals related prompt answer to alarms/careful equipment use and 88% referred to luminosity reduction in at least one period out of 24 hour. As for strategies to reduce pain/discomfort, 34% reported the use of non-feeding suction and 9% reported on the use of glucose. Eighty three percent reported clinical data as the main information relayed to parents during the first visit. Physical exam is a procedure where the mother's presence is allowed by 73% of the respondents. Fifty nine percent reported that clinical stability was the reason of allowing the mothers to hold the baby for the first time, but 30% will permit that only if the new born is stable with breathing support. CONCLUSION: notwithstanding theoretical knowledge on Humane Care, professionals still do not apply it fully in their clinical practice, which is suggestive that the scope of this type of neonatal care is still not totally accepted.
Kangaroo method; Healthcare; Low birthweight baby; Humane Care Program during prenatal and birth assistance; Professional practice