Original Article
The impact of an educational intervention on knowledge about infant crying and abusive head trauma Amy E Ornstein MDCM MSc1, Eleanor Fitzpatrick RN MN ENC(c)2, Jill Hatchette PhD3, Christy G Woolcott PhD4, Linda Dodds PhD4 AE Ornstein, E Fitzpatrick, J Hatchette, CG Woolcott, L Dodds. The impact of an educational intervention on knowledge about infant crying and abusive head trauma. Paediatr Child Health 2016;21(2):74-78.
L’effet d’une intervention éducative sur les connaissances relatives aux pleurs des nourrissons et aux traumatismes crâniens non accidentels
BACKGROUND: Infants follow a predictable trajectory of increased early crying. Frustration with crying is reported to be a trigger for abusive head trauma (AHT). Objective: To evaluate the impact of postpartum delivery of the educational program, the Period of PURPLE Crying (PURPLE), in a group of first-time mothers. The primary objective was to determine whether there was a change in knowledge about infant crying and shaking after exposure to PURPLE. Factors associated with change in knowledge were also examined. Method: A total of 93 participants were recruited over a four-month period at a tertiary care hospital in Nova Scotia. Pre- and postintervention data were collected. Results: Knowledge about infant crying increased significantly after program delivery (P=0.001). Low baseline crying knowledge was a significant predictor of increased knowledge about infant crying (P≤0.01). There was an insignificant decrease in shaking knowledge (P=0.5), which may have been the consequence of high baseline knowledge. Conclusion: An educational program for new parents appears to be warranted, especially with respect to improving knowledge about infant crying. This may have a positive benefit in AHT prevention. Additional studies are required to evaluate the impact of the program on other caregivers and on rates of AHT.
HISTORIQUE : Les nourrissons suivent une trajectoire prévisible
Key Words: Abusive head trauma; Child abuse prevention; Infant crying
W
hile less common than other forms of child abuse, such as neglect and witnessing family violence, abusive head trauma (AHT) can result in more severe outcomes; death occurs in 12% to 36% of cases, and 13% to 60% of survivors experience persistent motor, visual, cognitive and behavioural difficulties (1-5). Incidence rates of AHT vary widely, and are reported to be between 6.7 and 29 per 100,000 infants
The impact of an educational intervention on knowledge about infant crying and abusive head trauma Amy E Ornstein MDCM MSc1, Eleanor Fitzpatrick RN MN ENC(c)2, Jill Hatchette PhD3, Christy G Woolcott PhD4, Linda Dodds PhD4 AE Ornstein, E Fitzpatrick, J Hatchette, CG Woolcott, L Dodds. The impact of an educational intervention on knowledge about infant crying and abusive head trauma. Paediatr Child Health 2016;21(2):74-78.
L’effet d’une intervention éducative sur les connaissances relatives aux pleurs des nourrissons et aux traumatismes crâniens non accidentels
BACKGROUND: Infants follow a predictable trajectory of increased early crying. Frustration with crying is reported to be a trigger for abusive head trauma (AHT). Objective: To evaluate the impact of postpartum delivery of the educational program, the Period of PURPLE Crying (PURPLE), in a group of first-time mothers. The primary objective was to determine whether there was a change in knowledge about infant crying and shaking after exposure to PURPLE. Factors associated with change in knowledge were also examined. Method: A total of 93 participants were recruited over a four-month period at a tertiary care hospital in Nova Scotia. Pre- and postintervention data were collected. Results: Knowledge about infant crying increased significantly after program delivery (P=0.001). Low baseline crying knowledge was a significant predictor of increased knowledge about infant crying (P≤0.01). There was an insignificant decrease in shaking knowledge (P=0.5), which may have been the consequence of high baseline knowledge. Conclusion: An educational program for new parents appears to be warranted, especially with respect to improving knowledge about infant crying. This may have a positive benefit in AHT prevention. Additional studies are required to evaluate the impact of the program on other caregivers and on rates of AHT.
HISTORIQUE : Les nourrissons suivent une trajectoire prévisible
Key Words: Abusive head trauma; Child abuse prevention; Infant crying
W
hile less common than other forms of child abuse, such as neglect and witnessing family violence, abusive head trauma (AHT) can result in more severe outcomes; death occurs in 12% to 36% of cases, and 13% to 60% of survivors experience persistent motor, visual, cognitive and behavioural difficulties (1-5). Incidence rates of AHT vary widely, and are reported to be between 6.7 and 29 per 100,000 infants
