Table 3

Characteristics of included qualitative papers on decision making for the infant sleep environment in families with children considered to be at high risk of SUDI: studies using interviews and focus groups

Lead author
Year
Country		Sample sizeStudy aimTarget populationTopic guide broad categoriesAnalysisQATSDD score (%)
Tipene-Leach
2000
New Zealand25		26Increase understanding of present-day Maori infant care practicesMaori parents or caregivers of children under 12 months oldInfant sleep arrangements, traditional practices, health and well-being, support availableThematic analysis22/42 (52.4)
Mosley
2007
USA16		136To determine decision-making factors for infant sleep position among low-income parents and other relativesParents of children under 12 months, education level (not specified or reported) used as proxy for income levelSleeping place, advice, trustThematic analysis30/42 (71.4)
Joyner
2010
USA19*		83To investigate, using qualitative methods, factors influencing African–American parents’ decisions regarding infant sleep location (room location and sleep surface)African–American mothers with infants aged <6 months, born in the USA; low parental education; eligible for Medicaid and supplementation programmeSleep location, bed-sharing, room sharing, pillows and blanketsGrounded theory32/42 (76.2)
Moon
2010
USA17*		83Perceptions about SIDS in African–American parents and how these influence decisionsAfrican–American mothers with infants aged <6 months, born in the USA, low parental education, eligible for Medicaid and supplementation programmeKnowledge of SIDS, worries, causes, preventionThematic analysis33/42 (78.6)
Ajao
2011
USA24*		83To examine factors influencing decisions by black parents regarding use of soft bedding and sleep surfaces for their infantsAfrican–American mothers with infants aged <6 months, born in the USA, low parental education, eligible for Medicaid and supplementation programmeUse of blankets, sleep surface firmness, bumper padThematic analysis32/42 (76.2)
Joyner
2016
USA18*		83African–American parental reasons for pacifier use or non-use, and whether knowledge of the association with decreased SIDS risk changes decisions about pacifier useAfrican–American mothers with infants aged <6 months, born in the USA, low parental education, eligible for Medicaid and supplementation programmeFeelings about pacifiers, age started, advice given, advantages, disadvantages; pacifiers and SIDS.Grounded theory34/42 (81.0)

  • *Denotes papers relating to the same study.

  • QATSDD, Quality Assessment Tool for Studies with Diverse Designs; SIDS, sudden infant death syndrome; SUDI, sudden unexpected death in infancy.