Parental Knowledge and Awareness about Shaken Baby Syndrome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Fatma Alzahrani1, Basma A Al-Jabri1, Salah Aldeen L Ramadan2
1Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Knowledge about shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is low among Saudi parents, with many unaware of its dangers. Targeted prenatal education is crucial to improve awareness and prevent abusive head trauma.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Child Safety
Background:
- Shaken baby syndrome (SBS) poses severe risks, yet parental knowledge in Saudi Arabia remains inadequate.
- Previous research indicates a significant gap in understanding SBS among parents in the region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding SBS among parents in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
- To identify areas for improvement in public health interventions for SBS prevention.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study utilizing an electronic questionnaire distributed via social media.
- Data collected from 524 parents of pediatric age group children in Jeddah.
- Convenient random sampling used to gather demographic, knowledge, attitude, and practice data.
Main Results:
- Only 30.7% of participants were familiar with SBS; 32.3% demonstrated good knowledge.
- The internet and social media were primary information sources, but knowledge levels showed no significant sociodemographic correlation.
- Concerning practices included forceful shaking (23.9%) and throwing the infant (41.4%) when crying.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal health education programs are essential for mothers to increase SBS awareness.
- Interventions should focus on improving parental knowledge and modifying harmful practices related to infant crying.
Background:
Despite the serious consequences of shaken baby syndrome (SBS), previous studies revealed a low level of knowledge among Saudi parents.
Methods:
This is a cross-sectional study. An electronic questionnaire was distributed through social media platforms to parents of pediatric age group children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A total of 524 responses were received. Data about participants' demographics, knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding SBS were collected through convenient random sampling.
Results:
A total of 524 responses were received; 30.7% of the participants were familiar with SBS. The Internet and the social media platforms were the most common sources of information. There was no statistically significant correlation between knowledge levels and participants' sociodemographic factors; only 32.3% of individuals had good knowledge. Of them, 84% had a positive attitude towards learning more about SBS, and 40.1% and 34.3% were interested in learning more about SBS before and during pregnancy, respectively. Carrying the baby and shaking were the actions most frequently taken when a baby was crying. Of them, 23.9% forcefully shake their child, while 41.4% of them throw their infant up in the air and catch it.
Conclusions:
It is important to conduct health education programs on SBS for mothers throughout the prenatal period.
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