{
  "abstract": "IntroductionHealth workers (HWs) have a central role in reducing the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) through caregiver education and safe-sleep counselling. Yet, awareness and application of evidence-based guidance are inconsistent in primary and maternal-child health settings in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study explored the knowledge, perceptions, and practices of HWs regarding SUID in Uganda.\n\nMethodsWe conducted a qualitative study with 20 HWs (midwives, nurses, clinicians and medical officers) at three government facilities (two regional referral hospitals and one health centre III) in central Uganda (April-September 2024). Participants were purposively sampled. In-depth interviews were conducted in English or Luganda(a widely spoken local language), audio-recorded, and transcribed into English. Data were analysed thematically using a hybrid inductive-deductive approach supported by NVivo 14.\n\nResultsHWs recognized sudden infant deaths but were largely unfamiliar with SUID as a clinical construct. Commonly perceived causes included accidental suffocation, overlay, unsafe sleep positioning and underlying illness, and cultural beliefs. Safe-sleep counselling was infrequent and non-standardized; many HWs recommended prone or side-lying positions to avoid perceived aspiration risk and favoured soft sleep surfaces. Mother infant bed-sharing was considered culturally normative and practical for warmth and monitoring despite acknowledged risks. HWs expressed a need for training and context-adapted guidelines.\n\nConclusionParticipants described gaps and inconsistencies regarding safe sleep and environmental risk factors for SUID. Developing national, context-appropriate safe sleep guidance, integrating pre-service and in-service training, and embedding consistent counselling in maternal-child health services could contribute to risk reduction and consequently prevent infant deaths.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit"
  ],
  "article_type": "PUBLISHAHEADOFPRINT",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 9,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "M. Nyantaro"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. R. Carpenter"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. Abaasa"
    },
    {
      "name": "R. Muhumuza"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. Nakamanya"
    },
    {
      "name": "G. Nabaggala"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. M. Okello"
    },
    {
      "name": "F. M. Kibengo"
    },
    {
      "name": "N. M. Kyegombe"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2yf2fb0gh35kj.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.09.08.26362587",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.08.26362587v1.full",
  "id": "2yf2fb0gh35kj",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.08.26362587v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "medrxiv",
      "pediatrics"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2735|Global Maternal and Child Health"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7212245362",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.08.26362587v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-08",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2yf2fb0gh35kj.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:18Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.09.08.26362587",
      "source": "medrxiv",
      "url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.08.26362587v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "medrxiv:pediatrics",
      "subfield": "reproductive-child"
    }
  ],
  "title": "A Qualitative Assessment of Health Workers Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practices on Sudden Unexpected Infant Death in Central Uganda.",
  "title_text": "A Qualitative Assessment of Health Workers Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practices on Sudden Unexpected Infant Death in Central Uganda.",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:18:18Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/2yf2fb0gh35kj",
  "venue": "medRxiv",
  "versions": []
}