Evaluation of the knowledge and attitudes of mothers with 0-1 year-old babies about the risk factors of sudden infant death syndrom

This study has been planned to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of mothers with 0-1 year-old babies about the Risk Factors of SIDS and to identify its connection with sociodemographic variables. The study was carriet out with 375 mothers having 0-1 year-old babies, who applied to seven Family Health Center in the city of Kilis from December 2016 to April 2017. Following forms have been utilized in the research: Sociodemographic Data Collection Form, Information Form of the Baby and the Application Form for the Acquisition of Risk Factors for SIDS. Obtained data has been analysed through the utilization of SPSS 24.0 for Windows application. It has been determined by the study that %43,7 of mothers participating were in 25-29 age range, %54,4 of them were high school graduates, %71,5 were unemployed, %64,3 had stoves at their homes as heaters, income and expense of %69,0 were equal, and %37,8 of babies were 2 to 4 months old, and %56,8 were boy and nearly half of them were born through caeserian section. In the study, more than %50 of mothers were seen to display 14 incorrect information and highly risky attitudes which can cause SIDS. Among the highly risky wrong information and attitudes of mothers, the riskiest five information and attitude and the related percentages were seen as follows: putting the baby on the head or middle part of the bed with %97,9; not laying the baby down on tiptoe part of the bed with %96,5; not knowing SIDS and related Risk Factors with %89,6; not squeezing the tiptoe and side edges of the quilt with %89,3 and using cushion when the baby was sleeping with %88.5. Through the study, the sociodemographic characteristics to affect mothers' knowledge and behavior most towards risk factors of the SIDS were determined to be level of income, home heating system, family structure, of the mother, social security, kin marriage (p<0.05). In view of this study, it can be said that mothers had wrong knowledge and behaviours about baby-care in terms of SIDS. It is suggestable for the healthcare workers to offer mothers education and consultancy over the alterable risks of SIDS starting from the pregnancy period. Key Words: Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Risky Behaviour, Mother, Baby-care