Developing a state-wide infrastructure for safe sleep promotion.

OBJECTIVES

Sleep-related deaths are the third leading cause of infant death in Kansas. This manuscript describes implementation of an infrastructure of regional trainers to educate on the American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep recommendations.

DESIGN

Prospective evaluation of training program on knowledge transfer.

SETTING

Instructors were recruited from throughout the state of Kansas and trained to provide safe sleep education in their communities.

PARTICIPANTS

Instructors were a mix of healthcare workers and community members. Their trainees encompassed both professionals and caregivers.

INTERVENTION

Instructors attended a 2-day training, including completing 18-item pre and post-training knowledge tests, a training evaluation survey, and performing a portion of the structured safe sleep presentation and crib demonstration for feedback.

MEASUREMENT

Instructors were evaluated before and after training. After conducting trainings in their region, instructors submitted trainees' pre and post-test results. Scores were compared using t-test.

RESULTS

Twenty-three instructors were trained. Scores averaged 13.5 (SD=2.4) for the pre-test and 15.3 (SD=2.4) for the post-test. Those scoring <80% post-training (n=6) received additional instruction. In the subsequent year, 13 trainers provided safe sleep education at 21 events to a total of 378 trainees. Trainee scores averaged 11.4 (SD=2.7) on the pre-test and increased to 13.9 (SD=2.5) on the post-test (P<.001). Findings were consistent when adjusting for variation between individual trainers.

CONCLUSIONS

Safe sleep instructors can be trained to disseminate safe sleep guidelines; however, only half provided at least 1 training within 1 year. Future recommendations include over-recruiting potential instructors, incorporating trainings into existing positions or otherwise incentivizing trainers.