title: Midwives' knowledge of, attitudes to and practice with baby walkers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to determine community midwives' knowledge, attitudes and practice with regard to baby walkers.
  
  
  METHODS
  survey, using questionnaires.
  
  
  METHODS
  primary care, East Midlands, UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-five community midwives participating in a cluster randomised controlled trial to reduce baby walker use.
  
  
  RESULTS
  there was a 94% response. Seventy per cent of the midwives, felt that it was part of their role to discuss baby walkers, and 62% felt that giving advice about walkers before birth acceptable. The midwives had a limited knowledge of baby walker injury risk and only one midwife had any baby walker-related health education material. Three attitude scales were computed and indicated that the midwives held a negative view of baby walkers and were positive about baby walker health education, believing that parents hold a positive attitude to baby walkers. Those midwives who had used a walker with their own children were more positive about baby walkers and less positive about baby walker health education.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  midwives are willing to be involved in baby walker health education during pregnancy. However, they require evidence-based knowledge and materials rather than relying on personal experience.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Primary Care Research, Division of General Practice, University of Nottingham, Tower Building, Floor 13, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK. amanda.woods@nottingham.ac.uk
authors.forename: Amanda J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: Rhydian
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hapgood
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Colier
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kendrick
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Watts
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Illinworth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004739:England; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015370:Infant Equipment / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008880:Midwifery; D011247:Pregnancy; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*