Abstract â–¡ 151

The Israeli Ministry of Health initiated a national campaign for SIDS prevention in August, 1993 - yet SIDS rates were relatively low (0.6 per 1000 live births 1985-89). The majority of SIDS cases in Israel are classified without post mortem examinations. Public Health Services posted SIDS prevention guidelines recommending non-prone night sleep to all hospitals and MCH clinics in the country and published a pamphlet to be distributed to all parents. The MCH Department launched an ongoing survey to measure compliance with the guidelines on infant sleep positioning practices. Preliminary results (1994-96) indicate 27% of the random sample (n=1186) reported 2 month old infants were placed solely prone for night sleep. However, 90% of respondents knew of the government's recommendation. A follow-up survey is currently underway to measure the trend in positioning practices in Israel. SIDS rates for 1995-96 are 0.2 per 1000 live births.