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

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.

Effects of a Responsive Parenting Intervention Among Black Families on Infant Sleep

“…19,20 There has been limited attention to interventions to promote better sleep for Black infants, as most early sleep interventions for this population have focused on SIDS prevention. [35][36][37] To our knowledge, Sleep SAAF is the first study to show any benefits of a RP intervention on sleep and sleep practices among Black infants and their families. At the same time, we note there is still room for improvement: 35% of infants in the RP condition were not meeting sleep recommendations of at least 12 hours per day by age 16 weeks, and there were many domains in which RP mothers were no more likely than controls to implement recommended sleep guidance.…”

“…The positive effects of the RP intervention are particularly noteworthy in light of well-documented disparities in sleep experienced by Black individuals in the US throughout the lifespan and calls to reduce these disparities . There has been limited attention to interventions to promote better sleep for Black infants, as most early sleep interventions for this population have focused on SIDS prevention . To our knowledge, Sleep SAAF is the first study to show any benefits of a RP intervention on sleep and sleep practices among Black infants and their families.…”