The uptake of safe infant sleep practices by Brazilian pediatricians: a nationwide cross-sectional survey.
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a major cause of death among children aged <1 year. Campaigns to educate physicians have been effective to reduce its incidence. We assessed the knowledge of Brazilian pediatricians' regarding risk factors for SIDS, their familiarity with the first Brazilian SIDS campaign launched in 2009, and self-reported changes in practices following this campaign.



Active members of the Brazilian Society for Pediatrics who had been in practice for at least two years at the time of the campaign were invited. Pediatricians answered an online survey including eight multiple-choice questions and one open-ended question. Invitees were chosen by chance draw to reflect the geographic distribution of pediatricians in the five regions of the country.



The survey was answered by 1654 pediatricians (mean [SD] age: 46 [11.5] years; mean [SD] professional practice time: 20.2 [11.52] years). Bedding items (77.7%), prone sleeping position (72.9%), bed sharing (66.3%), and smoking (59.2%) were recognized as risk factors for SIDS. Most pediatricians (88.2%) were familiar with the campaign, and 84.7% were aware of the current recommendation of supine sleeping position to prevent SIDS. The effectiveness of the first Brazilian SIDS campaign could be measured by a change in practice; before the campaign, 67.5% recommended lateral position and 23.1% the supine, and after the campaign, 76.2% recommended supine and 10.4% lateral. However, 12.8% still recommend prone position.



The majority of pediatricians changed their advice to parents after the educational campaign and became familiar with risk factors for SIDS. Continuous educational campaigns focusing on physicians resistant to changing practices should be provided.
Hospital Moinhos de Vento (HMV), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Rúbia Natasha
RN
Maestri
Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Brain Institute (InsCer), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. Electronic address: nunes@pucrs.br.
Magda Lahorgue
ML
Nunes
D001513:Beds; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D000072143:Pediatricians / Q000193:education*; D016684:Prone Position; D012307:Risk Factors; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016683:Supine Position; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Attitude; Education; Health campaigns; Professional practice; Prone sleeping position; SIDS