An analysis of attitude toward infant sleep safety and SIDS risk reduction behavior among caregivers of newborns and infants.
OBJECTIVE
To explore beliefs and attitude toward infant sleep safety and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) risk reduction behaviors among caregivers of newborns and infants.


METHODS
A convenience sample comprised of 121 caregivers of newborns at Staten Island University Hospital completed a questionnaire.


RESULTS
Despite an overall favorable attitude toward safe sleep practices, a majority disagreed with use of pacifiers (53%) and believed that swaddling (62%) as well as the use of home monitors (59%) are acceptable practices. The caregivers who recalled being taught about safe sleep had higher perception of infant vulnerability (P<0.001), more confidence in their ability to implement safe sleep behaviors (P<0.0006) and stronger belief that safe sleep behaviors are effective (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Active caregiver education may result in more effective demonstration of safe sleep and SIDS risk reduction behaviors. Further study is needed to assess if favorable attitudes toward safe sleep practices correlate with actual demonstrated behaviors.
Department of Pediatrics, North Shore LIJ Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, NY, USA.
S
S
Varghese
Evelyn L. Spiro School of Nursing, Wagner College, Staten Island, NY, USA.
D
D
Gasalberti
Evelyn L. Spiro School of Nursing, Wagner College, Staten Island, NY, USA.
K
K
Ahern
Department of Pediatrics, North Shore LIJ Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, NY, USA.
J C
JC
Chang
D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000379:methods; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups; D009519:New York City; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012449:Safety; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires