Reduce the risk of cot death guidelines - The effect of a revised intervention programme

In March 1992 the 'Reduce the Risk of Cot Death? guidelines were launched i n the Republic of Ireland. In response to epidemiological surveys conducted in 1993 and 1994 these guidelines were revised in November 1995 and a new leaflet was distributed. The study set out to compare parents interviewed i n 1994 (n=153) and 1996 (n=132) to determine their source of information on the guidelines and the extent of parental change in infant care practice a s recommended in these guidelines. In both time periods the media was the most frequent source of information with 63% (n=97) of respondents having received advice from the media in 199 4 compared to 55% (n=72) in 1996. However a significant number of parents e specially young (64%) and new (58%) mothers were uninterested or unable to access the relevant health care literature indicating a group needing a tai lored educational package in the future. Medical sources especially Public Health Nurses ranked second in delivering information at 47% (n=72) in 1994 vs 46% (n=60) in 1996 while other sources such as family and friends were the least frequent sources of information. In 1996 more respondents (59%; n =78) put their children to sleep on their back than in 1994 (35%; n=54) but they used heat more frequently at night [73% (n=96) in 1996 vs 57% (n=87) in 1994]. There was no significant difference in the percentage of parents smoking [29% (n=45) vs 33% (n=43)], the uptake of breast feeding [40% (n=61 ) vs 49% (n=64)] and the way parents Clothed their children [60% (n=92) vs 58% (n=77) used more than ten tog] between 1994 and 1996. Although in 1996 the message to reduce the risks of cot death was more specific and direct, it seems to have had less effect on further changing parents' practices. Ho wever, the overall effect of the two education programmes has been successf ul in yielding a low percentage (2%; n=2) of babies sleeping prone in 1996) . Smoking remains the major modifiable risk factor for SIDS in Ireland.