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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Bonnie Reyna¹, Cheryl Hunter-Grant, MSW², Paul Visintainer, PhD³, and Heather Brumberg, MD, MPH². (1) Maternal and Child Health, New York Medical College School of Public Health, 95 Grasslands Rd., Valhalla, NY 10595, 914-227-1202, bonnie_reyna@nymc.edu, (2) Division of Neonatology, Westchester Medical Center at NY Medical College, 95 Grasslands Rd, Valhalla, NY 10595, (3) Epidemiology, NY Medical College, 95 Grasslands Rd, Valhalla, NY 10595

Background: In order to prevent newborn abandonment, the Baby Safe Haven Law provides legal protection for parents to voluntarily leave their newborn infants 5 days old or younger at a “safe place” (i.e. police station) with a responsible person. In response to recent regional cases of newborn abandonment, the Lower Hudson Valley Perinatal Network held a Baby Safe Haven Law educational meeting for clinicians, nurses, social workers and other stakeholders.

Objective: To determine the impact of the Baby Safe Haven Law educational program on practice.

Design/methods: Pre-and post-tests were administered to program attendees. Results measured responders' gain in knowledge on aspects of the law. McNemar Chi Square and paired t-tests were used for analysis.

Results: The response rate was 72 % (n=43). Of all responders, 95% felt that that they would change the way they practice due to attending the educational meeting. There was a 60% increase in pre- to post-test responses of what were locations of safe places (p=0.02). Similarly, there was a 93% increase in comprehension of the law that allows anonymity to parent/guardian (p<0.01)

Conclusions: The educational meeting was successful in responders gaining knowledge on the Baby Haven Safe Law and on impact of future practice.

Learning Objectives:

• Assess efficacy of the Baby Safe Haven Act educational meeting on provider practice.

Keywords: Perinatal Health, Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered