Name
Capella University
NURS-FPX 4060 Practicing in the Community to Improve Population Health
Prof. Name
Date
Hello, I am Davdizo, and I hope everyone is doing well. Today, I will present the Health Promotion Plan: Addressing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in an African woman in the Cleveland, Ohio community. This presentation will be an interactive, culturally sensitive educational session on the plan’s objective of raising awareness, assessing outcomes, and making recommendations for future initiatives.
SIDS, also known as crib death, is the sudden and unexplained death of an otherwise healthy child under age one. It usually happens while sleeping, with no apparent explanation or even a cause of death after a full forensic investigation and autopsy. While the permanent cause is unknown, research indicates that abnormal brain regions regulating breathing and arousal from sleep, coupled with environmental factors such as unsafe sleeping environments, may be relevant (Kim & Shaver, 2023), such as preterm birth, low birth weight, exposure to cigarette smoke, or improper sleeping environment soft bedding. The overall incidence of SIDS has decreased substantially over the decades as adults keep their infants on their backs for sleep and create a safe sleep environment. However, it still needs to be educated to first-time parents to prevent any adverse event to the child.
The number of SIDS cases increased to 35.4 per 100,000 live births in the US in 2017. Before prevention campaigns, death rates ranged in the world from 0.3 per 1,000 live births among Asians in the USA to 7.4 per 1000 among the Maori of New Zealand. Moreover, SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) rates are highest among non-Hispanic Black and Native American populations in the US, with a peak incidence between 2 and 4 months of age (Kim & Shaver, 2023).
The presence of at least one risk factor is found in 95% of SIDS cases, and two or more risk factors are present in 78% of cases. In Ohio, the SIDS prevalence data from 2011-2021 shows an 11% decline, with 916 deaths recorded in 2021, making it 7.1 per thousand (March of Dimes, 2024). Some of the important risk factors include placing the infant on their stomach or sides when putting to sleep, using soft bedding, and using accessories like stuffed toys and blankets. It also includes co-sleeping practices where parents put the baby on the same bed as theirs. Some indirect risk factors include preterm birth, low weight during birth, smoking either by the mother during pregnancy, or secondhand exposures.
The sudden and unexplained loss of a child to SIDS leaves a devastating impact on families, affecting their emotional, mental, and even physical well-being. Parents and caregivers often experience profound grief, guilt, and feelings of inadequacy, questioning whether they could have prevented the tragedy. This loss can lead to long-term mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (Gandino et al., 2023). Siblings may also face emotional challenges, grappling with confusion and fear of death. On a broader scale, the loss of a child can strain relationships within families and communities. Support networks, counseling, and awareness programs are vital for coping and teaching prevention strategies, such as safe sleep practices, breastfeeding, and personal health practices. These preventive measures are emphasized during the educational session with patients to help the participant recognize and implement them effectively.
Education about SIDS plays a key role for African American women. Research shows this group faces a much higher chance of losing babies to SIDS (Henry, 2024). Cultural differences, money issues, and trouble getting healthcare all add to this problem, making it clear we need to focus on helping them. The health promotion plan focuses on Jasmine Carter, a 33-year-old African American mom from Cleveland, Ohio. She lost her first baby to SIDS, which left her feeling guilty and worried as she gets ready for her second child. To help her, we need to give her information that fits her specific situation. This does not just help with health unfairness; it also boosts her confidence and helps her cope with her emotions and social determinants, as we know that SIDS impacts the psychological and physical ability of the caregiver, especially mothers. Nurses help promote evidence-based interventions to reduce SIDS risks.
Campaigns like the Back to Sleep Campaign (now known as the Safe to Sleep Campaign) and the Cribs for Kids Program exemplify successful efforts in this area. The Safe to Sleep Campaign educates caregivers about placing babies on their backs to sleep, a key preventive measure, and highlights the importance of avoiding soft bedding and co-sleeping (Jawed et al., 2023). Nurses can reinforce these messages through individualized counseling, demonstrations, and follow-up support. The Cribs for Kids Program provides free or affordable safe sleeping environments for needy families, addressing socioeconomic barriers (Ellis et al., 2022).
The SMART goals set for Jasmine Carter match up with Healthy People 2030 (HP2030) aims and were created together to make sure they’re clear, trackable, and tied to lowering SIDS risk. These targets match HP2030’s push to reduce baby deaths and boost mom and child health (ODPHP, 2022). The plan came together through teamwork with Jasmine to tackle her needs and worries and create goals she could achieve. These goals include:
The educational session for Jasmine Carter worked well. It met her needs and hit the SMART goals we set. Jasmine scored 85% on tests about SIDS risk factors before and after the class. This beat our 80% goal. She could explain three key ways to help: laying babies on their backs, using firm bedding, and breastfeeding. She said she’d use these for six months after her baby comes, which is what we hoped for. Also, Jasmine remembered 92% of the things that protect babies, like sharing a room but not a bed and using pacifiers. We checked this by having her teach it back to us. This was better than our 90% target.
The educational session also gave her ways to cope with her feelings, helping her handle worry and guilt. Upon receiving feedback from Jasmine, she said she feels less anxious because she knows possible factors that could harm her baby’s sleep. She informed me that she is more conscious of her mental well-being and would take care of her physical and psychological state as well. Ultimately, the class did what it set out to do and more. It gave Jasmine both confidence and real ways to lower SIDS risks for her baby.
While the educational session was a success, several areas for improvement were identified for future events. First, the conference could benefit from incorporating more culturally relevant topics for diverse populations. Including stories and testimonials from African American mothers who have successfully reduced the risk of SIDS would make the event more responsive and effective. Second, the entire event could be delivered by expanding the conference’s content to cover other topics, such as improving health systems for prenatal and postnatal support (Kim et al., 2024). In addition, future sessions should consider incorporating interactive tools, such as mobile apps or virtual simulations, to enhance learning and provide post-conference support. Although Jasmine exceeded expectations, not all participants could learn at the same pace and comfort. To achieve this, future events will allow participants to review the information and ask questions. These observations indicate that the learning sessions were comprehensive, powerful, and tailored to the needs of the participants.
Jasmine Carter’s educational curriculum aligns with the HP2030 through the goal of reducing infant mortality and improving maternal and child health (ODPHP, 2022). In particular, the sessions focus on key indicators such as improving safe sleep practices for infants and reducing risk factors associated with SIDS. Jasmine’s progress in identifying risk factors and protections and her commitment to implementing safe sleep strategies are significant indicators of progress toward achieving these goals. By equipping Jasmine with evidence-based knowledge and skills, the session will directly contribute to achieving the health indicators for reducing infant mortality and strengthening community action to reduce disparities in maternal and child health outcomes.
To achieve Healthy People 2030 objectives, the session emphasized adherence to policies like the Safe to Sleep Campaign and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations on safe infant sleep practices. These policies promote supine sleep positioning, avoid soft bedding, and encourage breastfeeding as protective measures (AAP, 2020). Additionally, programs such as Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) provide resources and education to support maternal and child health, particularly among vulnerable populations (HRSA, 2024). By incorporating these policy recommendations into the session, Jasmine was guided toward adopting practices that align with national standards. Expanding access to such evidence-based policies ensures broader reach and consistency in reducing SIDS risks across diverse communities.
Many changes can be implemented to better align future meetings with the goals of HP2030. First, integrating community-specific data into the educational content can help address disparities, particularly for African American families, who face higher SIDS risks. Second, digital tools, including apps or web portals, can provide ongoing support and reminders to implement safe practices and increase shelter access. Third, orientation sessions incorporating other aspects of maternal health, such as personal health choices like smoking cessation, healthy diet, and stress-coping approaches, may further support well-being (Gandino et al., 2023).
Partnerships with local and national programs, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s SUID/SIDS Awareness Program, can provide updated resources. Additionally, encouraging participants to join peer support groups can create a network of shared experiences and knowledge and promote lasting behavioral change (Joo et al., 2022). These changes will ensure that future meetings remain relevant, evidence-based, and appropriate to the goals of HP2030.
In essence, the health promotion plan successfully addressed SIDS risk factors and aligned with HP2030 objectives, empowering Jasmine Carter to implement safe sleep practices for her child. The educational session exceeded its SMART goals, effectively increasing awareness and reducing disparities. Future improvements, such as incorporating culturally tailored content and digital tools, will enhance engagement and impact. By fostering knowledge and resilience, the plan reduces infant mortality and promotes maternal and child health.
AAP. (2020). Safe sleep. Aap.org. https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/safe-sleep/?srsltid=AfmBOorAf3DM7gjF1Wibv4zKawWixIkU2lkmU2v17QJdfItIRXTEI-JL
Ellis, C., Pease, A., Garstang, J., Watson, D., Blair, P. S., & Fleming, P. J. (2022). Interventions to improve safer sleep practices in families with children considered to be at increased risk for sudden unexpected death in infancy: A systematic review. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2021.778186
Gandino, G., Diecidue, A., Sensi, A., Venera, E. M., Finzi, S., Civilotti, C., Veglia, F., & Di Fini, G. (2023). The psychological consequences of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) for the family system: A systematic review. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1085944
Henry, M. (2024, April 2). More Black babies die in Ohio before their first birthday when compared White babies. Ohio Capital Journal. https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/04/02/more-black-babies-die-in-ohio-before-their-first-birthday-when-compared-white-babies/
HRSA. (2024). Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program | MCHB. Mchb.hrsa.gov. https://mchb.hrsa.gov/programs-impact/programs/home-visiting/maternal-infant-early-childhood-home-visiting-miechv-program
Jawed, A., Ehrhardt, C., & Rye, M. (2023). Handle with care: A narrative review of infant safe sleep practices across clinical guidelines and social media to reduce SIDS. Children, 10(8), 1365. https://doi.org/10.3390/children10081365
Joo, J. H., Bone, L., Forte, J., Kirley, E., Lynch, T., & Aboumatar, H. (2022). The benefits and challenges of established peer support programmes for patients, informal caregivers, and healthcare providers. Family Practice, 39(5), 903–912. https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmac004
Kim, H., & Shaver, A. L. P. (2023). Sudden infant death syndrome. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560807/
Kim, T. H., Lee, H., Woo, S., Lee, H., Park, J., Fond, G., Boyer, L., Hahn, J. W., Kang, J., & Yon, D. K. (2024). Prenatal and postnatal factors associated with sudden infant death syndrome: An umbrella review of meta-analyses. World Journal of Pediatrics, 20(5), 451–460. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12519-024-00806-1
March of Dimes. (2024). Infant deaths due to sudden infant death syndrome: Ohio, 2010-2020. March of Dimes | PeriStats. https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/data?reg=99&top=6&stop=122&lev=1&slev=4&obj=1&sreg=39
ODPHP. (2022). Safe to sleep® – Healthy People 2030. Health.gov. https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/tools-action/browse-evidence-based-resources/safe-sleep
