Citation

Chung-Park MS. Mil. Med. 2012; 177(2): 235-239.

Affiliation

USNH Yokosuka, PSC 475 Box 1895, FPO, AP 96350, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Association of Military Surgeons of the United States)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

22360073

Abstract

This study's objective was to assess the knowledge, opinions, and practices of infants' sleep positions and their association with demographics. A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to survey a convenience sample of military beneficiary parents being seen at a military treatment facility in the United States. A 19-item investigator-designed questionnaire was adapted using the "Safe Sleep Survey" developed by Indiana Perinatal Network. A sample of 161 parents responded. Forty percent were fully aware of the safe sleep facts for infants; 85% believed supine position was the safest; and 69% of those who believed supine position to be the safest also practiced their belief. Major reasons for nonsupine sleeping positions were for infant preference, comfort, and fear of choking; whereas supine position was for safety reasons. Parents' opinions of safe position and their practices (p < 0.001) were significantly associated, whereas knowledge on infant safe sleep facts (p = 0.611) was not. The results indicate that there is still a need for education. However, merely providing information to increase knowledge alone is not enough to change behavior, as attitude was an important factor for the behavior. Theory-based intervention associated with change in behavior will have an impact on parents' attitudes.

Language: en