Nurses-Midwives Knowledge and Attitude towards Babies Sleeping Positions and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), in Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

This study's aim and objectives were to assess the knowledge, attitudes towards babies' back and crib/bassinette sleeping positions, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in Nigeria. A descriptive design was used to survey the sampled population among nurses and midwives at Shehu Kangiwa and Yusuf Dantsoho Memorial Hospital, Tudun-Wada, Kaduna, Nigeria.  The study used a questionnaire as its data-collection instrument. The questionnaires were structured using the five Likert scale. SPSS version 15 was used to analyze the results. The research uses quantitative and qualitative methods, including the Nominal Group Technique (NGT), to obtain the desired results. A sample of 250 respondents was selected among the nurses and midwives in the study area. The results of the study show Back to sleep is represented with, P=000., ≤ .005, Crib or Bassinette to sleep is represented with, p= .000 ≤ .005., the best bedding environment or location to avoid or reduce SIDS is, p= .000 ≤ .005, habituated supine to sleep for babies will support risks including SIDS, with, p= .000 ≤ .005 and finally, the research p= .009 ≤ .005, also shows that habituated sleep to the side (right or left) does not promotes risks of SIDS. The NGT results also supported the quantitative outcome, with clear practice pointing to skin-skin, combined supine with skin-skin, side, and back-to-sleep. The study recommends more awareness of the importance of babies' sleeping positions at all times. Further studies on the influence of culture, environment, and religion on infant bedding safety. Conclusion: side-to-sleep, back-to-sleep, and supine/skin-to-skin are the dominant infant bedding approaches in Nigeria.