MOTHERS KNOWLEDGE OF THE RISK-FACTORS AND ANXIETY ABOUT SIDS

Objective: To assess the impact on mothers' knowledge and anxiety of t he 1991-92 health promotion campaign on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome ( SIDS) risk factors. Methodology: A telephone survey of a population ba sed sample of 339 mothers in Victoria, Australia, conducted 1992-94. R esults: Recall by mothers of the risk factors for SIDS was as follows: not breast-feeding, 15%; smoking, 46%; overheating, 48%; and prone sl eeping, 84%. Recall rate increased as the campaign progressed. Receivi ng the campaign pamphlet was associated with an increased recall of al l risk factors. Discussion of the pamphlet with a health professional was rare (9%). One-third of all mothers reported being very worried ab out cot death when caring for their babies. Self-reported worry was si gnificantly more common among mothers whose babies were born at the ti me of the campaign introduction. Conclusions: The campaign pamphlets w ere effective in increasing knowledge of the risk factors. The limited discussion with health professionals suggests that future campaigns n eed increased professional involvement to address problems, including anxiety among new mothers.