Developing an education program to reduce sudden infant death syndrome

Sids, Safe to Sleep Education Program

SIDS

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Major Risk Factors of SIDS

Strategies for Effective Management of SIDS

Alteration of Perceptions and Attitudes

Extensive Communication Plans

Recommended Program

Expected outcomes

Evaluation

The following paper puts light on the Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The paper discusses the major risk factors of SIDS and identifies strategies that could be used to effectively manage this syndrome. In addition to that, this paper also develops a communication and education program that can aid the authorities in reducing the rate of prevalence of SIDS.

SIDS, Safe to Sleep Education Program

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)can be referred to as a term that is used to define the sudden death of an infant, for which the cause cannot be identified even after the completion of an entire investigation. The concerned authorities, health care providers, and care takers are rendering considerable efforts to reduce the number of deaths occurring because of SIDS and the rate of prevalence of this disease. One of the tools that is used for this purpose is parent education and training.(Berkowitz, 2012; Gurbutt, 2007; Kaada, 1986; Ottaviani, 2014; Rognum, 1995; Sawaguchi, 2013; and Tildon, Roeder & Steinschneider, 1983)

The concerned stakeholders have put in a lot of efforts to reduce the prevalence of this disorder in the United States of America. The concerned authorities and institutions have introduced a number of additional and safer sleep actions including the deployment of pacifiers, the prevention of strollers as well as the car safety seats as sleep settings for infants, and the reduction or eradication of the use of blankets, extraneous bedding, and bumpers in the sleep setting of infants. In addition to that, child care programs have also been recommended to avoid swaddling. (Berkowitz, 2012; Gurbutt, 2007; Kaada, 1986; Ottaviani, 2014; Rognum, 1995; Sawaguchi, 2013; and Tildon, Roeder & Steinschneider, 1983)

2. Research Background

During the last two decades, the physicians, medical professionals, nurses, health care providers, and other concerned authorities and institutions have made considerable efforts in reducing the number of infants who die because of SIDS. The decrease in the rate of deaths caused by SIDS can be majorly attributed to the education campaigns and programs initiated by the concerned institutions and authorities, to educate the parents and the health care providers regarding the risks that are associated with SIDS. (Staff Members of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 2012; Staff Members of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2006; Staff Members of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, 2014; Staff Members of the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services, 2013)

As a result of the efforts of the above mentioned individuals and institutions, the United States of America has witnessed a decrease of about 50% in the rate of fatalities caused by SIDS. In addition to that, there has been an evident decrease in the number of infants who are placed to sleep on their stomachs, which is a position that elevates the risk of SIDS. The decrease in the rate of casualties due to SIDS in the United States of America, in the year 1992, is also attributable to the issuance of the statement of American Academy of Pediatrics, which advised the health care providers and the parents to maintain a back or side sleep position for infants so as to reduce the risk of SIDS.In addition to that, the initiation of thecampaign - 'even safer Back to Sleep Campaign' (as it was identified that side sleeping still led to the deaths caused by SIDS) -- in the year 1994 also led towards the reduction of the rate of deaths brought about by SIDS in the United States of America. (Berkowitz, 2012; Gurbutt, 2007; Kaada, 1986; Ottaviani, 2014; Rognum, 1995; Sawaguchi, 2013; and Tildon, Roeder & Steinschneider, 1983)

3. Problem Statement

Despite the progress in the reduction of the deaths caused by SIDS, the syndrome is still identified as the major cause of deaths among infants ranging between the ages of one month and one year in the United States of America. The infants ranging between the age of one month and four months are highly exposed to the risk of SIDS; hence, effective care should be taken in case of such infants. It has, however, been observed that babies up to the age of one year can die because of SIDS. The major reason behind the prevalence of SIDS as a major cause of deaths among infants up to the age of one year, is the insufficient transmission of knowledge regarding this syndrome. (Berkowitz, 2012; Gurbutt, 2007; Kaada, 1986; Ottaviani, 2014; Rognum, 1995; Sawaguchi, 2013; and Tildon, Roeder & Steinschneider, 1983)

The reduction of rate of SIDS requires effective knowledge, actions, and decisions by the parents, physicians, nurses, all the other health care providers, and concerned authorities and institutions. The most critical players, who can play an influential role in the reduction of the rate of SIDS in the United States of America, include the parents, nurses who take care of the infants, and the concerned authorities and institutions.In addition to that, it is also necessary for the caregivers and teachers to continue to provide the parents with education regarding this syndrome. This is because around 2,250 infants, up to the age of one year, still die of SIDS in the United States of America. (Berkowitz, 2012; Gurbutt, 2007; Kaada, 1986; Ottaviani, 2014; Rognum, 1995; Sawaguchi, 2013; and Tildon, Roeder & Steinschneider, 1983)

4. Research Aims

This paper, therefore, aims at initiating a parent education program, which would:

Identify the strategies and best practices for the reduction of SIDS in the United States of America,

Develop effective strategies for the appropriate transmission of knowledge and information regarding this syndrome,

And make recommendations for effective management of this syndrome.

5. Significance of the Research

The research will play an important role in providing the concerned authorities and health care professionals and institutions with information regarding the parent education programs that might enable them to reduce the rate of prevalence of SIDs and the number of deaths caused by it. In addition to that, it will make contributions to the existing literature as well. Furthermore, the research will also provide information to the individual researchers and institutions that aim at conducting a research on the same topic. (Berkowitz, 2012; Gurbutt, 2007; Kaada, 1986; Ottaviani, 2014; Rognum, 1995; Sawaguchi, 2013; and Tildon, Roeder & Steinschneider, 1983)

6. Theoretical Framework

In the development of the theoretical framework for this research, the strategic communication skills, the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Theory of Reasoned Action were deployed to understand and change the individual behavior.

The Theory of Reasoned Action indicates that the intention of a specific individual to perform certain behavior is determined on the basis of the attitude of the individual regarding that behavior and the subjective norms that are held by the individual. The theory of reasoned action has been deployed by the health professionals in a number of health and safety campaigns, including those related toAIDS, breastfeeding, anti-smoking, anti-drugs, and safety belt usageto gain a better understanding of the factors that might influence an individual to perform in a specific manner, and to devise strategies for the effective transmission of knowledge in relation to this issue.(Myers, 2004; Staff Members of the Center on Knowledge Translation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research, 2015)

The Theory of Planned Behavior, which can be referred to as an extension of the Theory of Reasoned Action, can enable the researcher to identify why some media campaigns were less successful, or a failure. The effective transmission of knowledge may not be sufficient for bringing about a change in behavior; instead, the campaigns and programs must target the perceived norms that may affect the adoption decision of the individual.It has been indicated by a number of studies that the likelihood of the target audience to adopt the intended behavior can be predicted. (Myers, 2004; Staff Members of the Center on Knowledge Translation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research, 2015)

By getting an insight into the factors that may affect the adoption decision of an individual, the researchers can develop messages that may change the perceptions of the individuals in relation to the benefits of the new behavior, and the manner in which this behavior would be perceived by their peers. It has been observed by various researches that the perceived attitudes of the society and an individual, in relation to a particular behavior, are important determinants of action. (Myers, 2004; Staff Members of the Center on Knowledge Translation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research, 2015)

On the basis of these theories the following framework would be adapted by this research:

Assessment of the prevailing threat.

Assessment of potential barriers to information transmission.

Assessment of best practices.

Control: Follow up and maintenance of intention.

Implementation strategies: barrier management and transfer of learning.

Reduction in the rate of prevalence

SIDS

, and better management of the syndrome

Assessment

Intervention and Surveillance

Outcomes

(Myers, 2004; Staff Members of the Center on Knowledge Translation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research, 2015)

7. Literature Review

7.1. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome (SUIDS) can be referred to as an overarching term that is used to describe an unexpected and sudden death in infants whose cause cannot be identified immediately, that is, before the initiation of a formal investigation. After the completion of an in depth and formal investigation, most of the cases of SUIDS are attributable to suffocation, poisoning, infection, metabolic diseases, overdose or trauma (which can either be accidental or non-accidental). Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), on the other hand, can be defined as asubset of SUID. The term SID is used to define the sudden death of an infant, aged under one year. The cause of deaths, in case of SIDS, cannot be determined even after the completion of a thorough investigation, review of clinical history, and an in depth autopsy.(Goodstein, 2012; McMullen, Lipke & LeMura, 2009; Peters, 2011; Staff Members of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association, and National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education, 2013; Staff Members of the Center on Knowledge Translation for Disability and Rehabilitation Research, 2015; Staff Members of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and Bureau of Maternal, Infant and Reproductive Health, 2012)

7.2. Major Risk Factors of SIDS

Even though SIDS can strike almost any infant, a number of factors that put the infants at a higher risk have been identified by the researchers. These include:

Sex: It has been identified that the risk of boys dying of SIDS is higher than that of the girls.

Age: It has been indicated by a number of studies that infants are most vulnerable to this syndrome during the second and the third month of their life.

Family history: The babies who have a family history of this syndrome, such as infants whose cousins or siblings have died of SIDS, are more vulnerable to this syndrome.

Secondhand smoke:The babies of smokers, or babies who have other family members that smoke, are at a high risk as they are exposed to second hand smoke.

Being premature: Premature birth, as well as a low birth weight also leads towards an increase in the risks of the baby being affected by SIDS.

Stomach sleeping:This is one of the most significant risk factors of SIDS, as a number of studies have related an increase in stomach sleeping with higher rates of SIDS. The healthcare professionals and concerned institutions and authorities have not identified how does stomach sleeping contribute to SIDS in a precise way, but it has been hypothesized by the doctors that the anatomical pressures on the airways of the infant's body, or the rebreathing of exhaled air, which has lower amounts of oxygen, can cause the syndrome.

Co-sleeping -- It was indicated by the earlier studies that parents who smoke while their babies share a bed with them elevate the level of exposure and risk for their babies. The newer studies, however, have indicated that bed sharing, irrespective of smoking, is also an important risk factor of SIDS. In addition to that, it has also been indicated that sleeping alone, in a separate room, significantly increases the riskof being affected by SIDS as compared to sleeping in a crib in the parents' room.

Maternal risk factors: The risks of SIDS are increased during pregnancy, and are affected by the mother, specifically if the mother: is under the age of 20; is a smoker; deploys alcohol and/or other drugs; and is given inadequate pregnancy and parental care.(Berkowitz, 2012; Goodstein, 2012; Gurbutt, 2007; Kaada, 1986; McMullen, Lipke & LeMura, 2009; Ottaviani, 2014; Rognum, 1995; Peters, 2011; Sawaguchi, 2013; and Tildon, Roeder & Steinschneider, 1983)

7.3. Strategies for Effective Management of SIDS

The following strategies can be used by the concerned authoritiesand the health care providers to enhance the management of SIDS and eradicate this syndrome from the United States of America:

7.3.1. Alteration of Perceptions and Attitudes

It has been identified that most of the parents and health care providers do not prefer to use the back sleep position for infants. This is because the parents and caregivers believe that back sleep position may lead towardschoking, discomfort for the baby (which includes shaking, which is attributable to the startle reflex of the baby), poor and ineffective sleep, and an increase in the exposure oflight on the face of the baby. In addition to that, most of the parents and caregivers believe that back sleep position does not reduce the risk of SIDS. Furthermore, the mothers, who are provided with back sleep training during their stay in the hospital, shift to stomach sleeping one week after their release from the hospital.This shift is attributable to the teachings to deploy back sleep by the grandmothers of the babies, and the concern for the discomfort of the baby. Mothers, in addition to that, also consider side sleeping (which is a risk factor for SIDS) as a compromise between stomach sleeping and back sleeping. The authorities, therefore, shall aim at developing educative programs, media products, including advertisements and online blogs, and workshops that alter these perceptions.(Berkowitz, 2012; Goodstein, 2012; Gurbutt, 2007; Kaada, 1986; McMullen, Lipke & LeMura, 2009; Ottaviani, 2014; Rognum, 1995; Peters, 2011; Sawaguchi, 2013; and Tildon, Roeder & Steinschneider, 1983)

7.3.2. Extensive Communication Plans

The messages that aim at reducing the risk of SIDS have a high degree of abstraction. This can be attributed to the fact that the exact cause of this syndrome is not known. In addition to that, the major sources of health information in a family are generally the matriarchal family members, and the health care providers of the infants. The general communication programs that are directed towards eradicating SIDS, target the parents and the health care providers of the infants. The health care providers are not exposed to a high degree in such programs. In addition to that, the matriarchal family members of the infants do not receive any education in relation to this issue. These members, therefore, may provide ineffective advice and health care suggestion, which may affect the health of the infants and enhance the risks of SIDS. The communication and education programs shall, therefore, follow an extensive communication plan, which targets each and every stakeholder and important players, who can play an important role in reducing the risks factors of SIDS and eradicating this syndrome from the United States of America.(Berkowitz, 2012; Goodstein, 2012; Gurbutt, 2007; Kaada, 1986; McMullen, Lipke & LeMura, 2009; Ottaviani, 2014; Rognum, 1995; Peters, 2011; Sawaguchi, 2013; and Tildon, Roeder & Steinschneider, 1983)

8. Recommended Program

The following communication and education plan shall be used by the concerned authorities to enhance the management of SIDS and reduce the risks of this syndrome:

8.1. Goals

The goal of this program is to provide the target audience with enhanced and extensive information about SIDS and to ensure that it is eradicated from the United States of America.

8.2. Strategies

In order to ensure that the objectives of this program will be achieved, the educators will:

Consult with family members of the children about the sleep and rest needs of the children. The educators will provide the family members of the children with critical information about the sleep and rest needs of the children so that they may be addressed by them in an effective manner. (Berkowitz, 2012; Goodstein, 2012; Gurbutt, 2007; Kaada, 1986; McMullen, Lipke & LeMura, 2009; Ottaviani, 2014; Rognum, 1995; Peters, 2011; Sawaguchi, 2013; and Tildon, Roeder & Steinschneider, 1983)