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American Public Health Association
133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition
December 10-14, 2005
Philadelphia, PA
APHA 2005
 
4044.0: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 - 9:00 AM

Abstract #100139

Socio-economic determinants of bedsharing in a population-based survey of new mothers

Martin B. Lahr, MD, MPH, Disability Determination Services, Department of Human Services, P.O. Box 12853, Salem, OR 97309, 503-986-4982, mlahr@canby.com, Kenneth D. Rosenberg, MD, MPH, Office of Family Health, Oregon Department of Human Services, 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 850, Portland, OR 97232, and Jodi Lapidus, PhD, Department of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Oregon Health Sciences University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, CB669, Portland, OR 97201-3098.

Objective. To explore the socioeconomic determinants of bedsharing among Oregon mothers.  Bedsharing is a common but controversial practice. 

Methods. Oregon Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) surveys a stratified random sample of women after a live birth. In 1998-1999, 1867 women completed the survey (73.5% weighted response). Bedsharing was categorized as frequently (almost always or always) or infrequently (sometimes or never).

Results. Of new mothers, 35.0% reported bedsharing frequently and 65.0% infrequently respectively (always = 20.5%, almost always = 14.7%, sometimes = 41.4% and never = 23.4%). A number of socioeconomic factors were associated with bedsharing in univariable logistic analysis.  In adjusted analysis, non-Hispanic blacks (ORa 3.15, 95% CI 2.06 – 4.83) and Asians (ORa 2.15, 95% CI 1.52 – 3.04), Hispanics (ORa 1.70, 95% CI 1.18 – 2.45), women who breastfeed at least 4 weeks (ORa 2.63, 95% CI 1.70 – 4.06), have incomes less than $15,000 (ORa 2.26, 95% CI 1.23 – 4.14) or between $15,000-29,999 (ORa 2.55, 95% CI 1.47 – 4.44), or are single (ORa 1.59, 95% CI 1.05 – 2.40) were more likely to bedshare.

Conclusions. Bedsharing is common in Oregon.  The women most likely to bedshare are single, breastfeeding and low-income. In addition, black and Asian mothers are more likely to bedshare than non-Hispanic white women, suggesting that cultural factors are important.  The relative importance of socio-cultural preference should be explored further.  Cultural values should not be imposed on diverse groups; crib use should be a choice, not a mandate. Recommendations regarding bedsharing must be based on sound epidemiologic evidence.

 

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: SIDS, Infant Mortality

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Reducing Infant Mortality and SIDS: The Role of Health Care Services and Safe Sleeping Practices

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA