Abstract
Infant care practices are the most important set of factors for reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Despite Queensland's relatively high SIDS rate, the prevalence of these practices remains largely unknown. This study pilots a tool intended for a statewide prevalence study of infant care practices associated with SIDS. A convenience sample of primary caregivers (n=36) with infants aged 1-6 months attending one of three metropolitan community immunisation clinics was studied. A questionnaire was administered to primary caregivers during their infant's clinic attendance. Routinely, six (17%) infants were placed prone and another four (11%) were placed on their side to sleep. Maternal smoking was reported by 14 (30%) respondents, although only five (14%) reported smoking during pregnancy and four (11%) post-partum. Of 23 (69%) infants sleeping in a cot, seven (29%) were not placed with their feet to the foot of the cot. Bed-sharing was common practice for 13 (37%) infants and three of these infants bed-shared with a mother who smoked, a factor associated with increased SIDS risk. Three (9%) infants were routinely placed on a pillow to sleep and four (11%) slept with soft toys - two environmental hazards that increase infants' risk of asphyxiation. Serious deficiencies in some primary caregivers' knowledge and practices relating to infant care practices associated with reduced SIDS risk were identified. These deficiencies may directly contribute to Queensland's relatively high SIDS rate. A statewide prevalence study is needed to substantiate these provisional findings.