Development of an educational intervention program for infant safe sleep practices in Korea: a methodological study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatrics
• Sociology

Background:

• Infant safe sleep education is crucial for reducing sleep-related sudden unexpected infant death.
• Existing safe sleep guidelines may not adequately address diverse sociocultural contexts.
• Tailoring education to specific cultural settings is essential for effective implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a culturally sensitive educational Protocol for Infant Safe Sleep (PISS) for primary caregivers in Korea.
• To incorporate Korean parenting behaviors and cultural characteristics into infant safe sleep education.
• To create a resource that addresses specific needs within the Korean sociocultural context.

Main Methods:

• Systematic classification of PISS content through literature review, analysis of existing materials, and field observations of Korean cultural characteristics.
• Development of the PISS based on identified content and cultural factors.
• Content validation by six professionals, with results integrated into the final educational program.

Main Results:

• The PISS includes an educational video, booklet, phone counseling, and an educational kit with a safe sleep sticker and activity diary.
• Key educational content areas cover sleep location, position, bedding, clothing/temperature, and other considerations.
• The intervention is designed as an intangible educational resource for primary caregivers.

Conclusions:

• The PISS is a novel educational intervention specifically designed for Korean primary caregivers, considering their unique sociocultural context.
• This protocol provides tailored guidelines to promote infant safe sleep practices.
• Further research is recommended to evaluate the effectiveness of the PISS in improving safe sleep behaviors.