Abstract □ 18

Aim: To implement strategies for supporting supine sleeping for Argentine babies from birth.

Background: Awareness of SIDS in Argentina is low. There are about 500 reported SIDS cases each year and prone sleeping is widespread. Countries that have changed their recommendations on infant sleep position (from prone to supine) have seen a reduced mortality from SIDS of up to 50%.

Method: A joint programme between New Zealand (NZ) and Argentina (ARG) was developed with a working focus on infant sleep position practices in Argentine Maternity Hospitals. The programme aimed to develop a chain of trust through four links: 1. Link two SIDS professionals, one from NZ and one from ARG. 2. Link health leaders and professionals in Argentina to programme objectives and the goodwill and support of NZ colleagues 3. Link evidence, from NZ and other countries of the impact of infant sleep position changes on SIDS, to Argentine professionals in paediatrics, obstetrics, neonatology, nursing and public health, through presentations, meetings and discussion. 4. Link information to the wider community through policy, education and the media.

Results: A SIDS Advisory Commission has been formed and is coordinated by the Argentine Ministry of Health and Social Action. Recommendations on infant sleep position are being included in the Ministry guidelines. The main Maternity Hospital in Argentina (Maternidad Sardá with 7000 births per year) has put SIDS prevention guidelines in writing. There are recommendations on preventing SIDS on a specific page on the Internet (www//sids.org.ar). An article on SIDS and its prevention has been published in the newsletter of CLAP, (the World Health Organisation Regional Office for the Americas) which is distributed to 8000 health centres throughout Latin America. The first national seminar on SIDS took place in Buenos Aires in November 1998. It was attended by 250 doctors and nurses and received major reaction in the media. At the seminar the Ministry of Health made official its advice that babies sleep "boca arriba" - face up. A senior Public Health official of the Ministry of Health and Social Action plans a study trip to NZ for early 1999.

Conclusion: This project, linking a country with high awareness of SIDS and its prevention (NZ) and a country with low awareness (ARG) allowed the first steps in a series of actions towards reducing the risk of SIDS.