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Prevalence and Characteristics of Bed-Sharing Among Black and White Infants in Georgia

Trina C Salm Ward1, Sara Wagner Robb2, Florence A Kanu2

  • 1Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, College of Public Health and School of Social Work, University of Georgia, 279 Williams St, Athens, GA, 30605, USA. salmward@uga.edu.

Maternal and Child Health Journal
|November 4, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Bed-sharing remains high among Black and White infants in Georgia, despite recommendations against it. Tailored safe infant sleep messaging is crucial due to differing risk factors for Black and White mothers.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Sleep Safety
  • Public Health Surveillance
  • Racial Disparities in Infant Care

Background:

  • Bed-sharing is a common infant sleep practice.
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics issued recommendations against bed-sharing in 2005.
  • Understanding racial differences in bed-sharing is critical for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and characteristics of bed-sharing among Black and White infants in Georgia.
  • To analyze changes in bed-sharing and infant sleep position before and after 2005 AAP guidelines.
  • To identify socioecological factors influencing bed-sharing behaviors by race.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Georgia Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data (2000-2011).
  • Application of the socioecological model to examine infant, maternal, family, and community factors.
  • Use of Rao-Scott Chi square tests and logistic regression models, stratified by race.

Main Results:

  • Higher bed-sharing prevalence reported by Black mothers (81.9%) compared to White mothers (56%).
  • Significant decreases in bed-sharing observed for both racial groups post-2005.
  • Non-supine sleep position decreased significantly for Black infants but not White infants.

Conclusions:

  • Persistent high rates of bed-sharing and non-supine sleep positions necessitate ongoing safe infant sleep education.
  • Distinct risk profiles for Black and White mothers underscore the need for tailored public health messaging.
  • Interventions should consider socioecological factors to effectively promote safe infant sleep practices.
Abstract

Keywords:
Bed-sharingCo-sleepingInfant sleepPRAMSRacial disparitiesRisk factors

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