Infant Safe Sleep: A Survey of the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors of Obstetric Physicians

This study explores obstetric physicians’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and in fant safe sleep and identifies barriers as well as enabling and/or reinforcing factors associated with providing infant safe sleep education in the prenatal environment. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with obstetric physicians who provide prenatal healthcare to women in Ohio. Surveys were se nt to all licensed physicians included in the registry of the State Medical Board of Ohio with “obstetrics,” “obstetrics and gynecology,” or “maternal and fetal medicine” as their primary specialty (n = 1771). The response rate was 30%, with 418 physicians included in the analysis. M any participants were knowledgeable about infant safe sleep recommendations; however, only 55% indicated that it was important for obstetric physicians to discuss Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and/or infant safe sleep with prenatal patients. Many participants (70%) perceived barriers to providing inf ant safe sleep education, however most (82%) indicated interest in doing so. Participants’ knowledge and attitudes were significant predictors of whether they discuss this topic with patients. Obstetric physicians can influence the infant safe sleep decisions that women make. Improving obstetricia ns’ knowledge and attitudes about infant safe sleep and supporting physicians who wish to provide education on this topic may help to ensure that women are receiving f...
Source: Journal of Community Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research