Infant sleep position in Oklahoma: evidence from PRAMS

Abstract

Background: The supine (back) sleep position has been found to be an important factor in the reduction of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This paper will examine infant sleep position in Oklahoma and offer recommendations to increase safe sleep practices for Oklahoma infants.

Methods: Oklahoma Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data were used to estimate prevalence of sleep position among demographic maternal groups and related health behaviors. Chi-square tests were used to determine significance at p< 0.05. Logistic regression modeling was used to produce adjusted odds ratios to measure the association of selected independent variables and sleep position.

Results: Fifty-six percent of Oklahoma newborns were placed on their backs to sleep most of the time, far short of the Healthy People 2010 goal of 70%. Almost 1 in 5 infants were placed on their stomachs to sleep, a known risk factor for SIDS. Women between 100-184% of the federal poverty level, African American women and mothers with more than one child were those least likely to place their infants on their backs to sleep.

Conclusion: Overall, the issue of not utilizing the recommended safe sleep position, the supine position, is pervasive among all maternal groups in Oklahoma. Significant differences were present for only a few variables (race, income, parity) indicating a strong need for a consistent message on sleep position for all Oklahoma parents and grandparents.