No advento dos antirretrovirais potentes, os indivíduos infectados pelo vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV) começaram a apresentar risco maior para o desenvolvimento de doença cardiovascular (DCV). Este aumento do risco cardiovascular pode ser associado tanto à infecção viral quanto ao tratamento antirretroviral (TARV), que provocam mudanças pró-aterogênicas como o aumento do colesterol total e da lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL), além da diminuição da lipoproteína de alta densidade (HDL). A ativação imune e as alterações lipídicas são mecanismos associados com a infecção pelo HIV e com o risco de DCV. Este trabalho utilizou ensaios imunoenzimáticos para a determinação plasmática de biomarcadores emergentes de risco cardiovascular relacionados com modificações da lipoproteína de baixa densidade, a saber: LDL eletronegativa [LDL(-)] e formas oxidadas da LDL, ou seja, LDL-oxi (resíduos lisina da apolipoproteína B100 modificados com malondialdeído), LDL-HNE (resíduos lisina da ApoB100 modificados com 4-hidroxinonenal) e LDL-CML (resíduos lisina da ApoB100 modificados por carboximetila), além de biomarcadores relacionados com a resposta imune-inflamatória, ou seja, autoanticorpos IgG e IgM anti-LDL(-), imunocomplexo de LDL(-) [IC-LDL(-)], proteína amiloide sérica A (SAA) e mieloperoxidase (MPO). Também foram determinadas as concentrações séricas dos biomarcadores de risco relacionados às apolipoproteínas: apolipoproteína A-I (ApoA-I), apolipoproteína B (ApoB) e apolipoproteína E (ApoE). A população estudada incluiu indivíduos com infecção pelo HIV, tratados (HIV-TARV) e não tratados (HIV-NT) com terapia antirretroviral e indivíduos sem infecção pelo HIV (controle). Não foram identificadas diferenças para as concentrações de LDL(-), IC-LDL(-), anti- LDL(-)-IgM, SAA, ApoA-I, ApoB e ApoE entre os grupos estudados (HIV-TARV, HIV-NT e controle). A ApoA-I correlacionou-se positivamente com ApoB e ApoE (rs= 0,418 e rs= 0,347, Spearman, p<0,01) e a ApoB com a ApoE (rs= 0,286, Spearman, p<0,01). Verificou-se correlação inversa entre as concentrações de LDL(-) e IC-LDL(-) (rs= -0,214, Spearman, p<0,05). Os níveis de anti-LDL(-)-IgG correlacionaram-se positivamente com IC-LDL(-) e anti-LDL(-)-IgM (rs= 0,240, Spearman, p<0,05 e rs= 0,348, Spearman, p<0,01). As concentrações de LDL-CML correlacionaram-se positivamente com LDL(-), LDL-oxi, LDL-HNE e IC-LDL(-) (rs= 0,212, Spearman, p<0,05; rs= 0,214, Spearman, p<0,05; rs= 0,573, Spearman, p<0,01 e rs= 0,219, Spearman, p<0,05). O grupo HIV-NT apresentou níveis mais elevados de anticorpos anti-LDL(-)-IgG comparado ao grupo controle (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0,01). Em contraste, observou-se no grupo HIV-NT diminuição das concentrações de MPO, LDL-HNE e LDL-CML em relação ao grupo controle (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0,01). A comparação dos grupos HIV-NT e HIV-TARV demonstrou que o TARV promoveu diminuição das concentrações dos anticorpos anti-LDL(-)-IgG e aumentou os níveis de LDL-oxi (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0,01). O grupo HIV-TARV apresentou aumento das concentrações de LDL-oxi e diminuição dos níveis de MPO, LDL-HNE e LDL-CML em relação ao controle (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0,01). Em conclusão, a infecção pelo HIV modificou o biomarcador de inflamação MPO e o perfil de biomarcadores relacionados às modificações da LDL (menor formação de LDL-HNE e LDL-CML), além aumentar a resposta imune-humoral à LDL eletronegativa [anti-LDL(-)-IgG], enquanto o tratamento com antirretrovirais inibiu esta resposta. Os outros biomarcadores estudados não foram modificados pela infecção viral ou pelo tratamento antirretroviral. / In the advent of potent antiretroviral therapy, individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have showed an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease (DCV). Studies have discussed that the increased risk may be related to both the disease and antiretroviral treatment (TARV), that produced pro-atherogenic changes such as increased of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) and decreased high density lipoprotein. The immune activation and the lipid modifications are well known mechanisms related to HIV infection and the risk of DCV. This study used immunoassays for plasma quantification for emerging biomarkers of cardiovascular risk related to modification of low density lipoprotein: electronegative LDL [LDL(-)] and oxidized forms of LDL, LDL-oxi (lysine residues of apolipoprotein B100 modified by malondialdehyde), LDL-HNE (lysine residues of ApoB100 modified by 4-hydroxynonenal) and LDL-CML (lysine residues of ApoB100 modified by carboxymethyl) and biomarkers associated to immune and inflammatory responses, IgG and IgM autoantibodies anti-LDL(-) and immunecomplexe of LDL(-) [IC-LDL(-)], serum amyloid A protein (SAA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). Also, were determined serum concentrations of risk biomarkers related to apolipoproteins: apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I), apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and apolipoprotein E (ApoE). The studied population included patients with HIV infection, treated (HIV-TARV) and untreated (HIV-NT) with antiretroviral therapy and individuals without HIV infection (controle). No differences were identified for concentrations of LDL(-), ICLDL(-), anti-LDL(-)-IgM, SAA, ApoA-I, ApoB and ApoE between studied groups (HIV-TARV, HIV-NT and controle). The ApoA-I was positively correlated to ApoB and ApoE (rs= 0,418 e rs= 0,347, Spearman, p<0,01) and ApoB to ApoE (rs= 0,286, Spearman, p<0,01). There was an inverted correlation between LDL(-) and IC-LDL(-) (rs= -0.214, Spearman, p<0,05). The levels of anti-LDL(-)-IgG were positively correlated to IC-LDL(-) and antibodies anti-LDL(-)-IgM (rs= 0.240; Spearman; p <0.05 and rs= 0.348; Spearman; p <0.01). The concentrations of LDL-CML were positively correlated to LDL(-), LDL-oxi, LDL-HNE e IC-LDL(-) (rs= 0,212, Spearman, p<0,05; rs= 0,214, Spearman, p<0,05; rs= 0,573, Spearman, p<0,01 e rs= 0,219, Spearman, p<0,05). The HIV-NT group showed higher levels of anti-LDL(-)-IgG compared to Control group (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0,01). In contrast, was observed lower levels for HIV-NT group to MPO, LDL-HNE and LDL-CML when compared to Control group (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0,01). The comparison of HIV-NT and HIV-TARV groups demonstrated that TARV caused a decrease of concentrations of anti-LDL(-)-IgG antibodies and an increased of LDL-oxi levels (Kruskal-Wallis, p <0.01). The HIV-TARV group showed increased LDL-oxi concentrations and decreased at levels of MPO, LDL-HNE e LDL-CML when compared to Control (Kruskal-Wallis, p<0,01). In conclusion, the HIV infection changed the biomarker of inflammation MPO and the profile of biomarkers related to modifications of LDL (lower concentrations of LDL-HNE and LDL-CML), as well as increased the humoral-immune response to electronegative LDL [anti-LDL(-)-IgG], while treatment with antiretroviral therapy inhibited this response. The other studied biomarkers were not modified either by viral infection or antiretroviral treatment.

Este estudo faz uma revisão sobre a relação das concentrações de vitamina D e doenças cardiovasculares (DVC) em indivíduos com vírus da imunodeficiência humana e/ou síndrome da imunodeficiência adquirida (HIV/AIDS) em tratamento com terapia antirretroviral (TARV). Um total de 1.288 artigos foram recuperados dos bancos de dados do PubMed, EMBASE, OVID, Cochrane Central, ERIC, SIBi, SciELO, LILACS e Grey literature. Nove deles preencheram os critérios de seleção e foram inclusos nesta revisão sistemática. Existe uma alta prevalência da deficiência de vitamina D em indivíduos HIV-positivo, independentemente da região climática que vivem. Tanto a infecção pelo HIV-1 como a TARV podem interferir no metabolismo da vitamina D. Essa vitamina mostrou uma tendência a decrescer do momento antes da TARV ao depois da iniciação da TARV, sua deficiência foi mais prevalente em pacientes que fazem utilização da TARV do que aqueles que nunca a utilizaram e suas concentrações no organismo mostraram significantes associações com medidores da elasticidade arterial, como Espessamento Média-Íntima (EMI) e Dilatação Mediada por Fluxo (DMF). Essas alterações nos vasos e sistema circulatório predispõem doenças cardiovasculares, tais como, aterosclerose, trombose, infarto do miocárdio e acidente vascular cerebral. Portanto, apesar de existirem controvérsias, indivíduos HIV-positivo podem estar mais propensos ao desenvolvimento de DCV, não apenas pelos efeitos colaterais comuns da TARV e da infecção pelo HIV-1, mas também por estarem mais predispostos a terem hipovitaminose D, e as alterações causadas por este quadro em seu organismo. / This study reviewed the relationship of vitamin D levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus and/or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART). A total of 1,288 articles were retrieved from the PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid, Cochrane Central, ERIC, SIBi, SciELO, LILACS and Grey literature databases. Nine of them met the selection criteria and were included in this systematic review. There is a high vitamin D deficiency prevalence in HIV positive individuals, regardless of climate area where they live. Both, HIV-1 infection and ART can interfere with the metabolism of vitamin D. This vitamin has shown a tendency to decrease from the moment before ART to the one after the initiation of ART. Its deficiency was more prevalent in patients who use ART than those who are ART-naïve. Vitamin D concentrations showed significant associations with markers of arterial dysfunction, such as carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). These changes in vessels and circulatory system predispose CVD, such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, myocardial infarction and stroke. Therefore, although there are controversies, HIV positive individuals may be more prone to the development of CVD, not just for the common side effects of ART and HIV- 1 infection, but also because they are predisposed to have vitamin D deficiency, and all the metabolic changes caused by this situation in his organism. Key-

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / This study utilised secondary data from a larger study that looked at individuals that are already infected by HIV which is entitled Implicative personal dilemmas and cognitive conflicts in health decision making in HIV positive adults and adults with AIDS. The primary aim of the larger study was to examine the cognitive construction of the individual and how they utilised their individual resources to construct who they are and how they perceived the difficulties and challenges that they face and the decisions they make regarding their health. HIV and AIDS is a debilitating disease and it affects millions worldwide. South Africa, presently, has the largest burden of this disease with those between the ages of 15 – 49 years of age being most affected. As previously mentioned the decisions that individuals make can impact on their health. Decisions to take necessary precautions such as protected sex during sexual intercourse can decrease the progression of the disease. Decisions made regarding abstinence of risky behaviour as well as being committed to taking medication could also positively impact health. People living with HIV and AIDS find it difficult to adjust to the challenges that this disease presents. Depression is often experienced due to the changes in self image and perception. Studies show that females are twice more likely to experience depression than men. There has however been no conclusive evidence showing the reason for this, however, the perception of stress based on gender could shed some light on this matter and how these perceptions can increase the likelihood of women being more vulnerable to depression. Due to the limitation of this study, it will only look at depression as it relates to HIV and AIDS. Psychological problems such as depression can hamper the adjustment process and the effect of depression is evident in that it can lower the CD 4 + cells. Not only are those living with HIV and AIDS affected by depression, but they also have a lifetime prevalence to depression. It is important to have an effective screening tool for depression so that the detection of this disease can be made and effective treatment can be implemented to enhance health. The sample consisted of 113 adult participants that have already been diagnosed with HIV and AIDS. The primary aim of this study was to compare the Beck’s Depression Inventory II (BDI II) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale –(the Depression component) (HADS-D) as a screening tool for depression. Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed a 5 factor structure which accounted for 60.14 % of the total variance. The HADS yielded one factor accounting for 14.33% of total variance. The BDI II has proven to be more a reliable measure of depression with 0.89 according to the Cronbach’s Alpha co efficient opposed to 0.375 as per the HADS-D. The secondary aim was to establish the sociodemographic and disease profiles of the participants under study. / South Africa

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) has been shown to have significant effects on the development of a child. Currently there is limited South African research regarding HIV and specific characteristics of communication development, and the treatment thereof, in the child infected with HIV. The objective of the research was to describe the communication characteristics of a group of children between the ages of 0 – 5 years infected with HIV at a hospital in Gauteng, South Africa. Clinic records of 203 children infected with HIV between the ages of 0-5 years were reviewed by using a pre-designed checklist within the outreach clinic of a large regional hospital. A questionnaire was completed by 4 medical practitioners working with this population within the outreach clinic. A total of 91.62% of the infected children were diagnosed as being either in Stage III or IV of the disease (according to the WHO classification system of 2005), with all infants presenting with a CD4 count of ≤ 60. The majority (75.37% of the total sample) were receiving HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) at the time the data was collected. According to their medical, social, communication and general development, almost all the children qualified for Early Communication Intervention (ECI) but were not recorded as being referred for such services. A large proportion of the target population presented with opportunistic infections and/or HIV associated conditions. The results highlight the developmental characteristics of children living with HIV, and identify the need for medical doctors and allied health professionals to be provided with relevant literature or training regarding the communication development of children infected with HIV. This will facilitate appropriate referrals for ECI services.

L’épidémie du VIH a bouleversé le rapport de la médecine à l’individu et inversement. D’une part, la forte stigmatisation associée à la contamination par le virus a rendu le vécu de la maladie plus complexe que pour toute autre pathologie. D’autre part, la chronicisation de l’infection impliquant une prise en charge complexe à base d’une multithérapie au long cours a contraint les soignants à s’interroger plus en profondeur sur la relation intime du patient à son traitement, et tout particulièrement sur l’observance thérapeutique. L’idée de ce travail de thèse est de poursuivre une argumentation en faveur d’une nouvelle approche moins paternaliste de l’observance aux antirétroviraux, incluant un partage des savoirs entre le médecin et le patient, et de l’appliquer à des populations de patients dont les comorbidités compliquent la prise en charge telles que la dépendance aux opiacés et l’infection par le virus de l’hépatite C. A travers une série d’articles, nous avons montré que la prise en compte de la perception du patient vis-à-vis des soins permettait de mieux comprendre la non-observance aux traitements. Chez les personnes traitées pour leur dépendance, la non-observance peut être définie comme l’injection du traitement de substitution ou la consommation d’opiacés illicites. La diminution ou l’arrêt de ces pratiques est un processus long, souvent ponctué de rechutes et elles peuvent être le reflet d’une prise en charge inadaptée. Les résultats de ce travail ont permis de mettre en évidence l’effet positif d’un accès à des soins adaptés, à travers une prise en charge de la pathologie mais aussi la réduction des risques liés à la non-observance. Il s’agit là de promouvoir une relation plus délibérative entre le médecin et le patient. / The epidemic of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has profoundly changed the relationship between medicine and humans and vice versa. On the one hand, the intense stigmatization associated with HIV infection has made the disease more complex than for any other pathology. On the other hand, the chronicization of infection has forced care providers to investigate in greater detail the intimate relationship between patient and treatment, and more particularly, the therapeutic adherence. My research work aimed to investigate this latter argument in greater detail, favoring a less paternalistic approach toward therapeutic adherence in HIV-infected patients and applying this approach to multi-treated populations with comorbidities such as drug dependence and hepatitis C. Through several articles, we tried to put in evidence that a model of care that includes patient’s perception about care may lead to better understand non-adherence to treatment (ongoing drug use, drug injection or treatment diversion). In fact, injection cessation or reduction of opioid consumption in dependent individuals is a non-linear process which could take a long time, and which is often punctuated with relapse. Our findings showed the positive impact of access to adequate care to treat not only the disease but also the harm related to non adherence to treatment. The idea is to promote a more deliberative relationship between physician and patient, including a harm reduction approach.

<p>Kangaroo mother care (KMC) was first initiated in Colombia due to shortages of incubators and the incidence of severe hospital infections of new-born infants during hospital stay (Feldman, 2004). Currently it is identified by UNICEF as a universally available and biologically sound method of care for all new-borns, particularly for low birth weight infants (Department of Reproductive Health and Research, 2003) in both developed and developing countries. The Western Cape Provincial Government implemented a policy on KMC as part of their strategy to decrease the morbidity and mortality of premature infants in 2003 (Kangaroo Mother Care Provincial task team, 2003). Essential components of KMC are: skin-to-skin contact for 24 hours per day (or as great a part of the day as possible), exclusive breastfeeding and support to the motherinfant dyad. Successful implementation of KMC requires relevant education of nurses, education of mothers on KMC by nursing staff, monitoring of the implementation of KMC by nurses, planning for a staff mix with varying levels of skill and experience with KMC, the identification of institution specific barriers to the implementation of KMC, and the implementation of institution specific strategies to overcome these barriers (Wallin,et al., 2005 / Bergman &amp / Jurisco, 1994 / Cattaneo, et al., 1998). This study aims to determine the knowledge of and attitude towards kangaroo mother care, of nursing staff and kangaroo mothers in the Eastern sub-district of Cape Town.</p>

<p>This study utilised secondary data from a larger study that looked at individuals that are already infected by HIV which is entitled Implicative personal dilemmas and cognitive conflicts in health decision making in HIV positive adults and adults with AIDS. The primary aim of the larger study was to examine the cognitive construction of the individual and how they utilised their individual resources to construct who they are and how they perceived the difficulties and challenges that they face and the decisions they make regarding their health. HIV and AIDS is a debilitating disease and it affects millions worldwide. South Africa, presently, has the largest burden of this disease with those between the ages of 15 &ndash / 49 years of age being most affected. As previously&nbsp / mentioned the decisions that individuals make can impact on their health. Decisions to take necessary precautions such as protected sex during sexual intercourse can decrease the&nbsp / progression of the disease. Decisions made regarding abstinence of risky behaviour as well as being committed to taking medication could also positively impact health. People living with HIV and AIDS find it&nbsp / difficult to adjust to the challenges that this disease presents. Depression is often experienced due to the changes in self image and perception. Studies show that&nbsp / females are twice more likely to experience depression than men. There has however been no conclusive evidence showing the reason for this, however, the perception of stress based on&nbsp / gender could shed some light on this matter and how these perceptions can increase the likelihood of women being more vulnerable to depression. Due to the limitation of this study, it will&nbsp / only look at depression as it relates to HIV and AIDS. Psychological problems such as depression can hamper the adjustment process and the effect of depression is evident in that it can lower the CD 4 + cells. Not only are those&nbsp / living with HIV and AIDS affected by depression, but they also have a lifetime prevalence to depression. It is important to have an effective screening tool for depression so that the detection of this&nbsp / disease can be made and effective treatment can be implemented to enhance health. The sample consisted of 113 adult participants that have already been diagnosed with HIV and AIDS. The&nbsp / primary aim of this study was to compare the Beck&rsquo / s Depression Inventory II (BDI II) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale &ndash / (the Depression component) (HADS-D) as a screening tool&nbsp / &nbsp / for depression. Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed a 5 factor structure which accounted for 60.14 % of the total variance. The HADS yielded one factor accounting for 14.33% of total variance. The BDI II has proven to be more a reliable measure of depression with 0.89 according to the Cronbach&rsquo / s Alpha co efficient opposed to 0.375 as per the HADS-D. The secondary aim was to establish&nbsp / the sociodemographic and disease profiles of the participants under study. </p>

Despite the benefits of antiretroviral therapy in treating HIV/AIDS, government responses have varied substantially, from provisions guaranteeing nearly universal access to insufficient provisions providing almost no access. This research seeks to specifically examine primary explanations, such as economic capacity, and emerging explanations, such as the role of electoral accountability and the presence of stigma, and the coordination between the epistemic community and political leadership as potential causes for the variance in the government provision. By controlling for state economic capacity, this research furthers the importance of examining other explanations for state response in light of a public health crisis. While electoral accountability and the role of stigma had marginal impacts, the level of scientific coordination and understanding among the states political leadership had perceptible impacts. This research also tests broader aspects of the political economy such as the role of state capacity and subsequent government crisis response.

L'épidémie de l'infection au virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH) constitue une crise majeure en santé publique de nos jours. Les efforts de la communauté internationale visent à rendre les traitements antirétroviraux (TARV) plus accessibles aux personnes vivant avec le VIH, particulièrement dans les contextes à ressources limitées. Une observance quasi-parfaite aux TARV est requise pour tirer le maximum de bénéfices thérapeutiques à l'échelle individuelle et à l'échelle populationnelle. Cependant, l’accroissement de la disponibilité des TARV s'effectue dans des pays africains qui disposent de systèmes de santé fragiles et sous-financés. Ceux-ci souffrent également d'une pénurie de personnel de santé, lequel joue un rôle central dans la mise en oeuvre et la pérennité des interventions, notamment celle du soutien à l'observance thérapeutique. La présente étude ethnographique relate l'expérience de personnel de santé dans la fourniture des services de soutien à l'observance dans un contexte de ressources limitées et d'accroissement de l'accès aux TARV. L'étude a été menée dans deux centres hospitaliers de la capitale du Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou. Trois conclusions principales sont mises au jour. Tout d'abord, une bonne organisation – tant logistique que matérielle – dans la provision de services de soutien à l'observance est capitale. L’infrastructure d’observance doit aller au-delà des unités de prise en charge et s’intégrer au sein du système de santé pour assurer un impact durable. De plus, la provision des TARV dans le cadre d'une prise en charge médicale exhaustive est essentielle pour un soutien à l'observance efficace. Ceci implique la présence de professionnelles de santé en nombre suffisant et disposant d‘outils pour soutenir leur pratique clinique (tests de laboratoire, traitements pour infections opportunistes), ainsi que des mécanismes pour leur permettre d’aider les patients à gérer la vie quotidienne (gratuité des services, programmes d’alphabétisation et soutien psychosociale). Enfin, une amélioration de la coordination des programmes VIH au niveau national et international est nécessaire pour assurer une prise en charge cohérente au niveau local. La programmation conçue dans les pays étrangers qui est incomplète et de courte durée a un impact majeur sur la disponibilité de ressources humaines et matérielles à long terme, ainsi que sur les conditions de travail et de prestation de services dans les unités de soins. / The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic is the most pressing public health crisis of modern times. Present international focus targets expanding access to life-saving antiretroviral treatment (ART) for people living with HIV/AIDS – referred to as treatment scale-up- in contexts with limited resources. Near perfect adherence to ART regimens is required to maximize individual and public health outcomes. ART is being scaled-up in African countries with under-funded, fragile health systems. These health systems are further plagued by a shortage of health professionals who play a critical role in the implementation and sustainability of ART programmes, including the provision of adherence support. This ethnographic study sought to explore the experience of health providers in addressing adherence to ART in settings of limited resources where ART is being scaled-up. The study took place in two hospital centres in the capital city of Burkina Faso; Ouagadougou. The study led to three broad conclusions. First, good organization is imperative in the delivery of adherence support services, both in terms of logistics and materiality. This infrastructure must extend beyond the level of the hospital ward, to the level of the health sector in order to ensure a sustainable impact. Second, the provision of ART within a comprehensive package of care is an essential component of effective adherence support. This involves equipping providers with tools to assist them in their clinical practice (laboratory monitoring, treatment for opportunistic infections, and additional staff) as well as mechanisms for them to help patients negotiate the trials of daily life (gratuity of care, literacy support, psychosocial support). Third, there is a need for improved coordination of nationally and internationally-led HIV programming for coherent service provision at the local level. Limited and short-term external funding affects the long-term availability of material and human resources, as well as working conditions and service provision on the wards. The results of the study contribute to the existing academic literature on ART adherence, to the design of future research projects, and to the organization of adherence support services.

<p>Kangaroo mother care (KMC) was first initiated in Colombia due to shortages of incubators and the incidence of severe hospital infections of new-born infants during hospital stay (Feldman, 2004). Currently it is identified by UNICEF as a universally available and biologically sound method of care for all new-borns, particularly for low birth weight infants (Department of Reproductive Health and Research, 2003) in both developed and developing countries. The Western Cape Provincial Government implemented a policy on KMC as part of their strategy to decrease the morbidity and mortality of premature infants in 2003 (Kangaroo Mother Care Provincial task team, 2003). Essential components of KMC are: skin-to-skin contact for 24 hours per day (or as great a part of the day as possible), exclusive breastfeeding and support to the motherinfant dyad. Successful implementation of KMC requires relevant education of nurses, education of mothers on KMC by nursing staff, monitoring of the implementation of KMC by nurses, planning for a staff mix with varying levels of skill and experience with KMC, the identification of institution specific barriers to the implementation of KMC, and the implementation of institution specific strategies to overcome these barriers (Wallin,et al., 2005 / Bergman &amp / Jurisco, 1994 / Cattaneo, et al., 1998). This study aims to determine the knowledge of and attitude towards kangaroo mother care, of nursing staff and kangaroo mothers in the Eastern sub-district of Cape Town.</p>