Citation

Woods AJ, Hapgood R, Colier J, Kendrick D, Watts K, Illinworth R. Midwifery 2003; 19(1): 63-71.

Affiliation

Department of Health, Primary Care Research, Division of General Practice, University of Nottingham, Tower Building, Floor 13, University Park, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK. amanda.woods@nottingham.ac.uk

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12634038

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: to determine community midwives' knowledge, attitudes and practice with regard to baby walkers. DESIGN: survey, using questionnaires. SETTING: primary care, East Midlands, UK. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-five community midwives participating in a cluster randomised controlled trial to reduce baby walker use. FINDINGS: there was a 94% response. Seventy per cent of the midwives, felt that it was part of their role to discuss baby walkers, and 62% felt that giving advice about walkers before birth acceptable. The midwives had a limited knowledge of baby walker injury risk and only one midwife had any baby walker-related health education material. Three attitude scales were computed and indicated that the midwives held a negative view of baby walkers and were positive about baby walker health education, believing that parents hold a positive attitude to baby walkers. Those midwives who had used a walker with their own children were more positive about baby walkers and less positive about baby walker health education. KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: midwives are willing to be involved in baby walker health education during pregnancy. However, they require evidence-based knowledge and materials rather than relying on personal experience.