Feasibility and Acceptability of a Tailored Infant Safe Sleep Coaching Intervention for African American Families

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 14;18(8):4133. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18084133.

Abstract

Background: Approximately 3600 infants die suddenly and unexpectedly annually in the United States. Research suggests limitations of current behavioral interventions to reduce the risk for sleep-related deaths among African American families living in under-resourced neighborhoods. Guided by the theory of planned behavior and the socio-ecological model, the My Baby's Sleep (MBS) intervention intends to reduce the risk for sleep-related infant deaths while addressing complex needs of African American families living in under-resourced neighborhoods.

Objective: To assess feasibility and acceptability of MBS, a 7-month intervention that includes four home visits and multiple check-ins via phone and text message.

Methods: This was a single-arm feasibility and acceptability study with quantitative and qualitive measures. African American families were recruited from community agencies that served an under-resourced metropolitan area.

Results: Eight families (eight mothers, nine co-caregivers) completed the intervention. Families reported high acceptability of MBS content, process, and format, as evidenced by qualitative data and mean evaluation scores.

Conclusion: MBS is feasible and acceptable among African American families living in under-resourced neighborhoods. These results suggest further investigation of MBS intervention efficacy in a large-scale randomized controlled trial.

Keywords: health promotion; infant care practices; infant mortality prevention; infant sleep practices; safe sleep campaigns; social and cultural determinants; socio-ecological model; sudden infant death syndrome; sudden unexpected death in infancy; theory of planned behavior.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Black or African American
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Mentoring*
  • Sleep
  • Sudden Infant Death*
  • United States