Efficacy of a preventive instructional module on mothers’ knowledge regarding shaken baby syndrome

Abstract

Objective: Shaken baby syndrome (SBS) is a shocking phenomenon that is recognized as one of the most severe forms of child abuse with very high rates of morbidity and mortality among infant less than one year of age. Although of its high mortality and morbidity, it is a highly preventable health problem. So, there is an essential need for a strategy to prevent it through education by nurses and physicians to new mothers. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a preventive instructional module on mothers’ knowledge regarding SBS.
Methods: A quasi-experimental design was carried out on eighty mothers who had delivered full-term infants and hospitalized on labour and delivery unit affiliated to Mansoura University Hospital, Mansoura City, Egypt. Data were collected through using of a structured interview questionnaire sheet (pre and post-test format) for assessing mothers’ knowledge about SBS and infant’s crying.
Results: The total mean knowledge scores improved post implementation of a preventive instructional module regarding SBS compared to pre-implementation (0.86 ± 0.19 versus 0.35 ± 0.39 respectively).
Conclusions: The study hypothesis was accepted. There were highly significant improvement in the studied women’s knowledge regarding SBS and infant crying. Indicating that the developed preventive instructional module was an effective tool for the enrichment of mothers’ knowledge regarding SBS and infant’s crying.
Recommendation: Implementation of antenatal classes for improving mothers’ knowledge regarding SBS and infant crying.