Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-26-2024
Publication Title
Child: care, health, and development
Volume
50
Issue
5
First Page
e13312
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.13312
Abstract
Background
Healthcare providers (HPs) play a critical role in disseminating information about infant health and development. Two key developmental areas for infants are physical activity (PA) and communication. Few studies have examined HPs views of these topics. Thus, HPs may need support to promote these early development outcomes in infants. Thus, the study explored HPs' perceptions of infant PA and communication.
Methods
A total of 13 HPs with a wide variety of backgrounds were recruited. Zoom semi-structured interviews were based on the Health Belief Model. Deductive content analysis was utilized to analyze data.
Results
HPs knew little about PA guidelines. HPs were concerned about an infant's PA because of limited playtime and tummy time. Most HPs advised parents on PA and motor development milestones, with crawling, walking, and tummy time. HPs also wanted to learn about PA measurement tools. PA promotion was hindered by parents' busy schedules, lack of time, and language barriers. Most HPs advised parents on verbal and nonverbal communication. Many HPs were unfamiliar with communication assessment methods and wanted to learn more.
Conclusions
HPs had limited knowledge about PA guidelines and communication measurement tools. Efforts are needed to identify easily accessible ways to educate HPs that could be disseminated to parents.
Recommended Citation
Chaudhary, Priyanka; Snyder, Kailey; DeVeney, Shari; and Dinkel, Danae, "Healthcare providers' perceptions of infant physical activity and communication" (2024). Health and Kinesiology Faculty Publications. 126.
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/hperfacpub/126
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Funded by the University of Nebraska at Omaha Open Access Fund
Comments
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This article was published open access under the Wiley and the University of Nebraska at Omaha open access publishing agreement