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Abstract #149703

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Terry J. Rosenberg, PhD¹, Lindsay Senter, MPH², Marjorie McMeniman, PhD, MS³, Lorraine Boyd, MD, MPH², and Mary Ann Chiasson, DrPH⁴. (1) Senior Deputy Director for Evaluation, Medical and Health Research Association of New York City, Inc., 220 Church, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10013, 646-619-6680, trosenberg@mhra.org, (2) Bureau of Maternal, Infant, and Reproductive Health, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2 Lafayette Street, 18th Floor - 34A, New York, NY 10007, (3) Bureau of Maternal, Infant and Reproductive Health, New York City Deptartment of Health and Mental Hygiene, 2 Lafayette Street, 18th Floor -34A, New York, NY 10007, (4) Research and Evaluation, Medical and Health Research Association of New York City, Inc., 220 Church St, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10013

While evidence of the hazards and benefits of infant bedsharing is mixed, little is known about bedsharing among low-income women in NYC. This study sought to characterize the prevalence of bedsharing and its correlates among WIC clients to develop a focused educational program. Mothers were interviewed at two WIC centers in English or Spanish (n=178). Questions assessed bedsharing practices during a baby's first three months, sources of information and attitudes about bedsharing, and demographics. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify predictors of bedsharing, as well as behaviors linked to injury-related death. When asked about usual sleep locations, 19% of the mothers reported bedsharing at night and 10% during the day. In the bivariate analysis, no differences were found by race/ethnicity, education, other demographic or health-related variables. Women with a Cesarean were more likely to bedshare; 27% during the night and 18% during the day. In the multivariate analysis, no significant predictors of nighttime bedsharing were identified. Black race/ethnicity(AOR=5.2) and a Cesarean birth (AOR=3.6) were significant predictors of daytime bedsharing. Finally, the prevalence of maternal risks for infant mortality was examined. Among nighttime bedsharers, 25% were currently obese, 12% had smoked, and 9% had consumed alcohol in the last six months. Overall 41% of the nighttime bedsharers had one or more behavioral risks. While this study found limited evidence of demographic correlates with bedsharing, it did identify women with other behavioral risk factors---obesity, smoking, and drinking---whose infants may be at increased risk for suffocation or injury.

Learning Objectives: Participants in this session will

(
• Learn about the prevalence of infant bedsharing and about bedsharers with other behaviors that can lead to infant injury or mortality among low-income urban mothers; (
• Be able to focus on mothers who are placing their infants at highest risk and are in need of strong public health messages; and, (
• Know how to recognize risky behavior among mothers sharing a bed with their infants either at night or during the day.

Keywords: Infant Mortality, Health Risks

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

• Audio (mp3) recording
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• Multimedia recording