This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (5)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Moon, R. Y.
Right arrow Articles by Oden, R. P.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Moon, R. Y.
Right arrow Articles by Oden, R. P.
Related Collections
Right arrow Office Practice
PEDIATRICS Vol. 112 No. 4 October 2003, pp. 878-882

Back to Sleep: Can We Influence Child Care Providers?

Rachel Y. Moon, MD*,{ddagger} and Rosalind P. Oden*

* Department of General Pediatrics, Children’s National Medical Center, Washington, DC
{ddagger} Department of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC

Objective. Despite the fact that 20% of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) deaths occur in child care settings, many child care providers continue to be unaware of the association of SIDS and infant sleep position and/or are misinformed as to the risks and benefits of the various sleep positions. The objective of this study was to determine whether an educational program for child care providers regarding SIDS and safe sleep environment is effective in 1) providing basic information and understanding regarding SIDS risk reduction practices, 2) changing child care provider behavior, and 3) promoting development of written sleep position policies.

Methods. We designed a 60-minute educational in-service for child care providers, to be led by a trained health educator. All providers who attended the in-service were asked to complete surveys before and after the in-service. Surveys assessed provider knowledge, beliefs, and practices. A 6-month follow-up interview was conducted with child care centers that had providers participating in the in-service.

Results. A total of 96 child care providers attended the educational in-service. Providers who were using the supine position exclusively increased from 44.8% to 78.1%. This change in behavior was sustained, with 85% of centers placing infants exclusively supine 6 months after the intervention. Awareness of the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation of supine as the preferred position for infants increased from 47.9% to 78.1%, and 67.7% of centers continued to recognize supine as the recommended position 6 months later. The percentage of centers that reported written sleep position policies increased from 18.8% to 44.4%.

Conclusions. A targeted educational in-service for child care providers is effective in increasing awareness and knowledge, changing child care provider behavior, and promoting development of written sleep position policies. This change is sustained over at least a 6-month period.

Key Words: sudden infant death syndrome • risk reduction • intervention • child care • sleep position

Abbreviations: SIDS, sudden infant death syndrome • SD, standard deviation • AAP, American Academy of Pediatrics • BTS, Back to Sleep

Received for publication Oct 17, 2002; Accepted Feb 24, 2003.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 PediatricsHome page
R. Y. Moon, L. Kotch, and L. Aird
State Child Care Regulations Regarding Infant Sleep Environment Since the Healthy Child Care America-Back to Sleep Campaign
Pediatrics, July 1, 2006; 118(1): 73 - 83.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
R. Y. Moon, B. M. Sprague, and K. M. Patel
Stable Prevalence but Changing Risk Factors for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in Child Care Settings in 2001
Pediatrics, October 1, 2005; 116(4): 972 - 977.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 PediatricsHome page
R. S. Gupta, S. Shuman, E. M. Taveras, M. Kulldorff, and J. A. Finkelstein
Opportunities for Health Promotion Education in Child Care
Pediatrics, October 1, 2005; 116(4): e499 - e505.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]