The impact of an educational intervention on knowledge about infant crying and abusive head trauma.
BACKGROUND
Infants follow a predictable trajectory of increased early crying. Frustration with crying is reported to be a trigger for abusive head trauma (AHT).


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of postpartum delivery of the educational program, the Period of PURPLE Crying (PURPLE), in a group of first-time mothers. The primary objective was to determine whether there was a change in knowledge about infant crying and shaking after exposure to PURPLE. Factors associated with change in knowledge were also examined.


METHODS
A total of 93 participants were recruited over a four-month period at a tertiary care hospital in Nova Scotia. Pre- and postintervention data were collected.


RESULTS
Knowledge about infant crying increased significantly after program delivery (P=0.001). Low baseline crying knowledge was a significant predictor of increased knowledge about infant crying (P≤0.01). There was an insignificant decrease in shaking knowledge (P=0.5), which may have been the consequence of high baseline knowledge.


CONCLUSIONS
An educational program for new parents appears to be warranted, especially with respect to improving knowledge about infant crying. This may have a positive benefit in AHT prevention. Additional studies are required to evaluate the impact of the program on other caregivers and on rates of AHT.
Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University and IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Amy E
AE
Ornstein
Department of Emergency Medicine, IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Eleanor
E
Fitzpatrick
IWK Health Centre Research Services and Adjunct Faculty Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Jill
J
Hatchette
Perinatal Epidemiology Research Unit, Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Christy G
CG
Woolcott
Perinatal Epidemiology Research Unit, Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Linda
L
Dodds
Abusive head trauma; Child abuse prevention; Infant crying