IMPACT OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDER EDUCATION RELATED TO SAFE SLEEP PRACTICES ON CARE DELIVERY

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to increase the knowledge level and change self-reported behavioral intent among a sample of healthcare providers regarding safe sleep messaging. From 1995 through 2015 in New York City, an average of one infant died every week from unsafe sleeping conditions. One agency in New York City experienced four unsafe sleep infant deaths within two months in 2010. In 2011, the city provided case managers with training on infant safety. Before this training, up to six sleep-related infant deaths were reported annually. The following year, one sleep-related infant death occurred. None occurred during the second year subsequent to the training. Current literature demonstrates healthcare providers have considerable influence on safe sleep messaging. This current study utilized a similar educational training designed for healthcare providers working in an urban health facility.

A single group pre/post-test quasi-experimental design was delivered to 23 participants. The design incorporated an online educational intervention in order to increase healthcare provider’s knowledge level and change their self-reported behavioral intent to educate parents and caregivers on the importance of safe sleep practices. Data were gathered at pretest and post‑test to assess changes.

Final analysis, using a repeated measures general linear model, was carried out on data from the twenty-three participants who returned completed pre- and post-class surveys. There was a statistically significant change in the overall 13-item composite score reflecting knowledge level and change the self-reported behavioral intent from pretest (M=6.13, SD=2.78) to post-test (M=8.78, SD=3.79) at the p