Safe infant sleep position practice (back to sleep) was found in only 42.7% of mothers attending child health care services in Wolaita Zone, South Ethiopia, with maternal occupation, parity, information source, and knowledge significantly associated with safe sleep practices.
Less than half of mothers practiced safe infant sleep position (back to sleep) in the Wolaita Zone, South Ethiopia.
Maternal occupation was significantly associated with safe infant sleep position practice.
Higher parity was negatively associated with safe infant sleep position practice.
Source of information about infant sleep position was significantly associated with safe sleep practice.
Good maternal knowledge of safe infant sleep position was significantly associated with practicing safe sleep position.
The study used a systematic sampling method with structured questionnaire interviews to collect data from 569 mothers.
This research suggests that in the Wolaita Zone of South Ethiopia, only about 4 in 10 mothers place their babies on their backs to sleep — the position recommended to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The study surveyed 569 mothers who brought their infants to public hospital child health services in 2024, and found that more than half were not following safe sleep guidance. This is a significant public health concern, as placing infants on their stomachs or sides to sleep is associated with increased risk of sleep-related infant death. The study identified several factors that influenced whether mothers practiced safe sleep positioning. Mothers who were employed, who had good knowledge about safe sleep, and who received information from formal health sources were more likely to place their babies on their backs. In contrast, mothers who had given birth multiple times were actually less likely to follow safe sleep guidance, possibly because they relied on habits formed during previous pregnancies rather than updated health advice. The source of information was the strongest predictor — suggesting that where and how mothers learn about infant sleep matters greatly. This research suggests that targeted health education programs — particularly through antenatal (before birth) and postnatal (after birth) care visits, as well as community awareness campaigns — could help improve safe sleep practices in this region. Given that knowledge and information source were key drivers, ensuring that accurate, consistent messaging reaches all mothers, including those with multiple children and those who may not be employed, could play an important role in reducing preventable infant deaths related to unsafe sleep positions in Ethiopia.
Lachore T, Bekele T, Tekle A, Degefa N, Assefa G. (2026). Maternal knowledge and practice of safe infant sleep position in South Ethiopia: Implications for preventing sleep-related infant deaths.. PloS one. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0339408