JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Safe Sleep Community Baby Showers address strategies to prevent sleep-related infant deaths. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these events transitioned from in-person to virtual.

Objective:

This study seeks to describe the outcomes of transitioning Safe Sleep Community Baby Showers to a virtual format and comparing outcomes to previous in-person events.

Methods:

Participants from four rural Kansas counties were emailed the pre-survey, provided educational materials (videos, live-stream or digital documents), and completed a post-survey. Those who completed both surveys received a portable crib and wearable blanket. Within group comparisons were assessed between pre- and post-surveys; between group comparisons (virtual vs in-person) were assessed by post-surveys.

Results:

Based on data from 74 virtual and 143 in-person participants, virtual participants were more likely to be married (p<.001), have private insurance (p<.001), and less likely to report tobacco use (p<.001). Both event formats significantly increased knowledge and intentions regarding safe sleep and avoidance of second-hand smoke (all p≤.001). Breastfeeding intentions did not change. Differences were observed between virtual and in-person participants regarding confidence in ability to avoid second-hand smoke (72% vs 84%; p=.031), intention to breastfeed ≥6 months (79% vs 62%; p=.008) and confidence in ability to breastfeed ≥6 months (64% vs 47%; p=.02).

Conclusions:

While both event formats demonstrated increase knowledge/intentions to follow safe sleep recommendations, virtual events may further marginalize groups who are high risk for poor birth outcomes. Strategies to increase technology access, recruit priority populations and ensure disparities are not enhanced will be critical for implementation of future virtual events.