PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - David Robida
AU  - Rachel Y Moon
TI  - Factors influencing infant sleep position: decisions do not differ by SES in African-American families
AID  - 10.1136/archdischild-2011-301360
DP  - 2012 Oct 01
TA  - Archives of Disease in Childhood
PG  - 900--905
VI  - 97
IP  - 10
4099  - http://adc.bmj.com/content/97/10/900.short
4100  - http://adc.bmj.com/content/97/10/900.full
SO  - Arch Dis Child2012 Oct 01; 97
AB  - Objective To investigate factors influencing African-American parents’ knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding infant sleep position and determine if these differ by socioeconomic status (SES). Methods A cross-sectional sample of 412 parents with infants ≤6 months of age participated in a validated survey of knowledge, attitudes and practice. Results There was no significant difference in attitudes or practice, and knowledge was similar regarding infant sleep position between African-American parents of higher and lower SES. The healthcare provider recommendation of exclusive supine sleep position use was associated with increased knowledge, overall decreased use of the side position (5.0% vs 16.8%, p<0.01) and increased occasional use of the supine position in the lower SES group (81.6% vs 68.6%, p=0.03). It was not associated with increased positive parental attitudes about the supine sleep position in either group. Neither a senior caregiver living in the home nor observation of hospital personnel placing infants in a non-supine position was associated with differences in sleep position practices in either group. Conclusions Sleep position practices in African-American families do not differ by SES. Improved attitudes toward positioning and increased use of supine positioning may result if healthcare providers address common concerns and misconceptions about sleep position.