Developing a state-wide infrastructure for safe sleep promotion

Abstract 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 traineesu0027 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 P 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.