A Qualitative Assessment of Health Workers Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practices on Sudden Unexpected Infant Death in Central Uganda.
- 1MRC/UVRI and LSHTM Uganda Research Unit
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.
MethodsWe 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.
ResultsHWs 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.
ConclusionParticipants 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.
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BibTeX
@misc{nyantaro2026qualitative,
title = {{A Qualitative Assessment of Health Workers Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practices on Sudden Unexpected Infant Death in Central Uganda.}},
author = {M. Nyantaro and J. R. Carpenter and A. Abaasa and R. Muhumuza and S. Nakamanya and G. Nabaggala and J. M. Okello and F. M. Kibengo and N. M. Kyegombe},
howpublished = {medRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.64898/2026.09.08.26362587},
url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.08.26362587v1},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - A Qualitative Assessment of Health Workers Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practices on Sudden Unexpected Infant Death in Central Uganda.
AU - M. Nyantaro
AU - J. R. Carpenter
AU - A. Abaasa
AU - R. Muhumuza
AU - S. Nakamanya
AU - G. Nabaggala
AU - J. M. Okello
AU - F. M. Kibengo
AU - N. M. Kyegombe
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/08
PB - medRxiv
DO - 10.64898/2026.09.08.26362587
UR - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.08.26362587v1
AB - 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. MethodsWe 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. ResultsHWs 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. ConclusionParticipants 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.
ER -