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Paediatricians' Practice About SUDDEN Infant Death Syndrome in Catalonia, Spain
Federico de Luca1, Esperanza L Gómez-Durán2,3,4, Josep Arimany-Manso2,5
1Department of Social Statistics and Demography, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK. F.Deluca@soton.ac.uk.
Insights
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) prevention knowledge gaps exist among paediatricians. Many paediatricians lack confidence in recommending the safest sleep position, indicating a need for targeted SIDS training.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Neonatal Care
Background:
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a leading cause of infant mortality in developed nations.
- While SIDS causes remain elusive, risk reduction is possible through evidence-based interventions.
- Limited national focus on SIDS in Spain necessitated an assessment of healthcare professionals' practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate paediatricians' knowledge and practices regarding SIDS prevention in Catalonia, Spain.
- To identify gaps in paediatrician understanding and adherence to SIDS risk reduction guidelines.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1202 paediatricians in Catalonia.
- Data collection occurred between November 2012 and April 2013, achieving a 46% response rate.
Main Results:
- 94% of paediatricians felt qualified to advise parents on SIDS.
- Only 58% exclusively recommended the supine sleep position as the safest.
- Increased paediatrician seniority and prior SIDS training negatively correlated with knowledge.
Conclusions:
- Paediatrician knowledge and practice regarding SIDS require improvement.
- Targeted refresher training, particularly for senior paediatricians, is recommended.
- Optional training modules may effectively address identified knowledge deficits.
Abstract:
Background SIDS is the major cause of death among healthy born infants in developed countries. Its causes are still unclear, but its risk can be reduced by implementing some simple active interventions. In Spain, limited attention was given to SIDS by the national healthcare system, and actual data on healthcare professionals' practice on this topic was not available. This study explored for the first time paediatricians' knowledge and practice about SIDS. Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out between November 2012 and April 2013 in Catalonia, and reached 1202 paediatricians. The response rate was 46%. Results 94% of respondents perceived themselves as qualified for giving advice and recommendations about SIDS to parents, but only 58% recognized the supine position as the safest position and recommended the supine position exclusively to parents. Seniority and 'having received a specific training about SIDS' were detrimental to paediatricians' knowledge. Discussion Efforts should be made in order to improve paediatricians' knowledge and practice about SIDS. Specific refresher trainings are highly recommended, and should especially target paediatricians with higher seniority. These trainings could be provided as optional modules, as we could see that the paediatricians who would most benefit from them are already aware of the need to refresh their knowledge.
