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Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) is the leading cause of death for infants. Physician advice on safe sleep is an important source of information for families. We sought to evaluate the safe sleep knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of physicians by distributing a cross-sectional survey at a freestanding children's hospital. The survey included demographics, knowledge items, attitudinal assessment, and frequency of providing safe sleep guidance. Multivariable linear regression and logistic regression were used to evaluate associations between variables. 398 physicians were surveyed with 124 responses (31%). Females, those who received safe sleep training, and those who see infants in daily practice had higher knowledge scores. Physicians with higher knowledge scores had more positive attitudes toward safe sleep and provided safe sleep education to patients more often. Our study underlies the importance of education and repeated exposure in forming positive attitudes toward safe sleep recommendations and leads to increased provision of safe sleep guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To increase access to safe infant sleep surfaces and reduce risk of sleep-related infant deaths, the Georgia Department of Public Health implemented a portable crib distribution and safe sleep educational program. The aim of this evaluation was to compare parental knowledge and practices related to infant sleep before and after receipt of the safe sleep educational program and crib. A prospective, matched pre- and post-test cohort design with a follow-up survey was utilized to evaluate changes in knowledge and practices. Female participants were recruited through the county health department and met the following criteria: (1) between 32 and 40 weeks pregnant or within 3 months postpartum, and (2) demonstrated financial need. Participants completed a survey prior to the start of a group educational program and upon program completion. For those who agreed, a follow-up phone survey was conducted approximately 10 weeks after program completion or after the infant’s birth. McNemar’s Chi square tests were conducted to detect significant differences between specific items on pre-test, post-test, and follow-up surveys, and paired sample t tests were conducted to compare differences in knowledge and practice scores. A total of 132 participants completed matched pre- and post-test surveys and 76 completed follow-up surveys. Knowledge of recommendations regarding position, surface, environment, smoking, breastfeeding, and pacifier use increased significantly between pre- and post-test, with most participants maintaining knowledge at follow-up. The proportion of recommended practices also increased significantly. A group-based safe sleep educational program can be effective in reducing risky infant sleep practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public health education commonly favours the 'single, simple, message' approach for delivery of key campaigns. This may be inappropriate where issues are complex, or individual circumstances necessitate more tailored information. We addressed the issue of infant safe sleep education, particularly with regard to parent-infant bed-sharing and risk of SIDS and accidental death--a topic which has often been the focus of single-message campaigns. The aim was to evaluate whether a more complex message would be understood and remembered by mothers. A leaflet-based tool was designed which addressed common infant sleep locations, with information on their risks and benefits. Novel components involved the inclusion of information regarding bed-sharing benefits, and a checklist that parents could use to assess their own risk. We found that the leaflet, when delivered by appropriately trained staff, is effective for enabling discussions with pregnant women that increase their knowledge surrounding the risks and benefits of infant sleep locations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]