RESUMO
AIM: To evaluate formative evaluation, a pedagogic method that sensitizes mothers to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), as a new way to improve prevention of SIDS. METHODS: Prospective and randomized study. Mothers in a test group (n = 148) received an educative questionnaire about SIDS during maternity stay. Three months later, we evaluated, by a telephonic interview, their scores of knowledge and observance of the recommendations in comparison with a control group (n = 144). RESULTS: Mothers' scores at the educative questionnaire was 5.12 (1.52) [mean(standard deviation)]. The scores performed 3 months later were better in test group for knowledge [7.64 (1.56) vs. 7.16 (1.61), p < 0.01] and for observance [8.28 (1.51) vs. 7.62 (1.72), p < 0.001]. Logistic regression analysis confirmed the benefits in test group regarding knowledge of SIDS risk factors [ORa = 1.69 (1.02-2.77), p < 0.05], of the advice to avoid overheating infants [ORa = 2.50 (1.43-4.38), p < 0.01] and of the risks of bed sharing [ORa = 2.7 (1.6-4.5), p < 0.001]. There was a significant association between non-compliance with the sleeping position recommendation and unemployment (p < 0.01) and absence of postsecondary school education (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Formative evaluation using an educative questionnaire could improve maternal awareness on SIDS risk factors and their compliance with recommendations about SIDS prevention.