Similarities in safe infant sleep knowledge among health care professionals and American Indian community members in Minnesota

Background To address disparities in infant mortality rates in American Indian (AI) and all races populations (9.5 and 5.0 per 1,000 births respectively) in Minnesota, an infant mortality review project was conducted; half of the deaths reviewed were due to sleep-related causes. Subsequently, three Community Action Teams (CATs) were formed; one focused on safe infant sleep. Methods To guide the CAT in its activities a community survey, and later a healthcare professional survey, were conducted to assess safe sleep knowledge; both were convenience samples. Additionally, the community survey had open-ended questions about messaging. Results 223 community surveys and 121 health professional surveys were collected. On both surveys, the question the highest percentage of participants answered correctly related to tobacco smoke exposure. The three questions for which community members had the most incorrect answers were the same as the three the health professionals had incorrect most often, relating to risk of choking if babies spit up while back sleeping; pacifier use; and appropriate room temperature and clothing for sleeping infants. Conclusions Health professionals and AI community members have similar patterns of knowledge about safe infant sleep. The safe sleep CAT has utilized this information in developing its 2011 work plan. Qualitative data from the community survey indicate community members prefer to get safe infant sleep information from health professionals. Educating professionals who work with AI community members on safe infant sleep may be useful to improve safe sleep knowledge among community members.