Midwives' knowledge of, attitudes to and practice with baby walkers.
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.
Woods
Amanda J
AJ
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
Hapgood
Rhydian
R
Colier
Jacqueline
J
Kendrick
Denise
D
Watts
Kim
K
Illinworth
Rachel
R
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*