Report
Reducing the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Nurses' Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices
Queensland Health
2002
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4227/39/578849186aeab
Abstract
Purpose of Study: Queensland has one of the highest rates of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in Australia. This study investigated a) nurses' knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to SIDS and Reduce-the-Risk (RTR) messages. Study Population: Cross-sectional sample of nurses and midwives from 1) acute neonatal and paediatric care; 2) antenatal, perinatal and postnatal care; 3) community child health throughout Queensland. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey designed to determine nursing and midwifery knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to SIDS risk factors and RTR messages was distributed to subjects in collaboration with managers from each identified area. Summary of main results: Completed surveys were returned from 934 (79%) nurses. Most were aware babies should be: placed on their backs to sleep, 664 (72%); feet to foot if in a cot, 736 (80%); and kept smokefree, 890 (98%); however only 563 (61%) correctly identified current RTR messages. Few nurses, 320 (35%), identified the recommended sleep position for babies with mild gastro-oesophageal reflux. Only 548 (59%) nurses agreed with the recommended sleep position for babies with reflux, and 175 (19%) indicated supine positioning increases the risk of aspiration. Of the respondents, 669 (74%) provided parent education about SIDS in daily care and discharge planning. Only 563 (62%) nurses advised parents to use recommended supine positioning for healthy babies, and 306 (36%) advised parents to place babies with reflux in the recommended sleep position. Conclusions: Many nurses have knowledge and attitudinal deficits relating to SIDS risk factors and RTR messages, and these deficits impact on advice provided to parents. Recommendations: Results will be used to develop effective education programs that impact positively on nurses' knowledge, and ultimately parental practice relating to RTR messages. Education that specifically targets changing attitudes with regard to infant sleep position, particularly for infants with mild oesophageal reflux, is required. Implications for paediatric health Effective education relating to SIDS, SIDS risk factors and the RTR messages for health professionals and ultimately parents will reduce the number of infants who die from SIDS in Queensland each year.
Details
- Title
- Reducing the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: Nurses' Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices
- Authors
- Jeanine Young (Author) - Royal Children's Hospital, BrisbanePhilip Schulter (Author) - Royal Children's Hospital, BrisbaneDaniel Francis (Author) - Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane
- Publisher
- Queensland Health
- Date published
- 2002
- DOI
- 10.4227/39/578849186aeab
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2002. Reproduced with permission
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Nursing; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine - Legacy
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450604702621
- Output Type
- Report
Metrics
36 File views/ downloads
705 Record Views