Infant Sleeping Positions (Survey of)

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    NAME OF ORGANISATION
    Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)

    OVERVIEW

    The survey collected information about the sleeping positions of infants aged less than 2 years ie position placed in to sleep, position infant usually changes to and when usually changes position.

    PURPOSE

    Medical research had indicated that the sleeping position of infants may be a factor effecting the risk of deaths due to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The research suggested that infants who sleep on their stomach (prone) had a higher risk of SIDS death than infants who sleep in other positions. The Survey of Infant Sleeping Positions was conducted to identify the patterns of sleeping positions and to enable the targeting of relevant education programs for parents and carers.

    SCOPE

    Information was obtained from occupants of selected dwellings (except those comprising members of defence forces, certain diplomatic personnel (customarily excluded from Census and population estimates), overseas visitors holidaying in Australia, members of non-Australian defence forces stationed in Australia and visitors to private dwellings) where there was one or more children aged less than 2 years.

    DATA DETAIL

    Conceptual framework

    Data was collected in respect of all infants in sample (in on scope and coverage) who were aged less than 2 years at the time of the survey.

    Main outputs

    Estimates of infants by sleeping positions (as reported) cross classified by characteristics of infant.

    Classifications
    ABS standard classifications were used for items describing standard demographic, socio-economic, education, labour force, etc characteristics.

    Three fundamental survey specific classifications used were:

    • Position placed in to sleep/ position changed to - back, stomach, side, not stated
    • When usually changes position - asleep, awake, not stated.
    • Classification of all other variables in accordance with ABS standards current at the time of the survey.

    Other concepts (summary)

    Characteristics of family/household and geographic characteristics (such as the sample permits).

    GEOGRAPHIC DETAIL
    Australia
    New South Wales
    Victoria
    Queensland
    South Australia
    Western Australia
    Tasmania
    Northern Territory
    ACT
    Part of State Metropolitan
    Part of State Extra-Metropolitan

    Comments and/or Other Regions

    Not applicable

    COLLECTION FREQUENCY
    Once Only

    Frequency comments

    There is a requirement to mount a follow-up survey to assess the current situation and effects of public education/awareness programs.

    COLLECTION HISTORY

    This survey was the first time this collection had been conducted.

    DATA AVAILABILITY
    Yes

    Data availability comments

    Survey of infant sleeping positions, Australia, July 1992 (ABS Cat. No. 4386.0)


    DATE OF LAST UPDATE FOR THIS DOCUMENT
    14/09/2004 11:46 AM