BMJ Open. 2026 Apr 8;16(4):e112974. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-112974.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Neonatal survival continues to pose a global health challenge. Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) has been shown to significantly reduce neonatal mortality and offer numerous benefits for both mothers and newborns. However, its implementation varies widely across healthcare settings and is often hindered by practical barriers. This scoping review aims to systematically explore the facilitators and challenges associated with implementing SSC after birth and to synthesise relevant evidence to guide clinical practice.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This scoping review will follow the Joanna Briggs Institute methodological framework for scoping studies. A comprehensive search will be conducted across seven electronic databases and grey literature sources. Two review authors will independently perform the screening of studies and data extraction in parallel. Discrepancies will be resolved through consensus or consultation with a third author. A data extraction form will be developed based on key themes related to SSC implementations. The extracted data will be qualitatively analysed and presented in diagrammatic, tabular and narrative summary forms, in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: Extension for Scoping Reviews reporting guidelines.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: All data to be used in this study will be derived from previously published studies, thus rendering the need for ethical approval and informed consent superfluous REGISTRATION: This protocol has been registered in Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/CWPK4).
PMID:41951257 | DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2025-112974
