Evidence-Based Education to Improve Parental Knowledge of Safe Sleep Recommendations for Infants

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to develop anddeliver an evidence-based presentation for parents of infants aged 0-12 months at Phoenix Children’s Primary Care – Paradise Valley Clinic to improve parental knowledge of infant safe sleep recommendations. Background: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the unexpected death of an otherwise healthy-appearing infant under the age of 1 year. Most cases of SIDS can be prevented by following the current safe sleep recommendations. Providing evidence-based education on safe sleep recommendations in the primary care setting has been shown to increase parental awareness of SIDS and compliance with the safe sleep recommendations. Methods: This quality improvement (QI) project utilized a quantitative, one-group pretest- posttest design. An education session guided by an evidence-based handout on safe sleep recommendations were given to 10 parents of children ages 0-12 months at Phoenix Children’s Primary Care – Paradise Valley Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. Pre-education and post-education questionnaires were assessed to measure the impact of the educational session on parental knowledge and safe sleep compliance. Results: There was a statistically significant increase in parental knowledge about the current safe sleep recommendations (p < 0.01) after the educational intervention. Parents also reported that the educational intervention enhanced their knowledge of safe sleep recommendations. Conclusion: The evidence-based safe sleep educational intervention effectively improved parental knowledge of the current safe sleep recommendations.