Abstract
Aim: To share an innovative safe sleep action strategy integrated with existing maternal and child health services provided by a multidisciplinary team in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Method: A community controlled Aboriginal Health Organisation servicing regional, rural and remote areas of Australia incorporated the Pepi-pod Program, a safe sleep enabler integrated with safe sleep health promotion, into their existing maternal and child health services. An exploratory descriptive design was used to evaluate and report parent (questionnaire administered through face-to-face or telephone interview) and health worker experiences (focus groups) of the Pēpi-pod Program to determine safe sleeping awareness, and program appropriateness, acceptability, feasibility, and sustainability. Data from the first six months of program implementation will be discussed. Results: Data suggests Health Workers recognise, and are committed to, the, integral position they have as role models within their communities. The Program facilitated conversations, and raised awareness around safe infant sleeping. Health Worker and parent responses suggested that the Pēpi-pod was acceptable as a portable sleep space for babies with positive responses relating to utilisation, acceptability, safety and convenience. Conclusions: Incorporation of an innovative health promotion strategy into a successful and accepted service facilitated the opportunity to build capacity amongst service staff and community and extend program reach. Infant mortality strategies which support community ownership, develop multidisciplinary team skills, strengthen community action, and re-orientate health services from health promotion to enabling safe sleep, will be effective and sustainable long-term.