Knowledge Gaps of Professionals Regarding Infant Safe Sleep Recommendations: Qualitative Evaluation of Topics Learned

Abstract

Introduction. To reduce Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), the Kansas Infant Death and SIDS Network offered a series of two-day Safe Sleep Instructor (SSI) certification trainings. These sessions aimed to educate health care and related professionals on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) evidence-based safe sleep recommendations.

Methods. A secondary analysis of qualitative data was conducted using responses to a single open-ended question on the post-training assessment. Participants were asked to list three specific things they learned during the training. All Fiscal Year 2023 participants (N = 67) responded. Two trained coders independently analyzed responses using a priori codes derived from the 2022 AAP Safe Sleep Recommendations and key concepts from the Safe Sleep Instructor training. Inter-rater reliability was assessed using Cohen's kappa.

Results. A total of 205 comments were collected from 67 participants, who self-identified as nurses, social workers, home visitors, early childhood professionals, parent educators, and others. Cohen’s kappa indicated substantial agreement (κ = 0.87; 95% CI, 0.77-0.87; p <0.001). The most frequently cited AAP-related topics were temperature regulation (13%, n = 27) and the recommendation for a separate sleep surface (10%, n = 21). Additionally, 12% (n = 24) of responses aligned with key training concepts, while 11% (n = 23) were categorized as “other.” No clear patterns in knowledge acquisition emerged within specific professional groups (e.g., nurses).

Conclusions. The presence of pre-training knowledge gaps related to safe sleep practices highlights the importance of comprehensive, evidence-based educational programs for professionals involved in perinatal and infant care.