Summary:

Changes in knowledge, attitude and involvement of fathers in supporting exclusive breastfeeding: a community-based intervention study in a rural area of Vietnam

OBJECTIVES: To test the hypotheses of positive changes of fathers’ knowledge, attitude and involvement in supporting exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) after receiving breastfeeding education materials and counseling services.

METHODS: A quasi-experimental, pre-test-post-test, non-equivalent control group design was used. At baseline, 251 and 241 pregnant women and their husbands were enrolled into the intervention and control groups, respectively. The 1-year intervention targeting fathers included mass media, game show-style community events, group and individual counseling at health facilities and home visits.

RESULTS: Compared to fathers in the control group, fathers in the intervention group had higher BF knowledge scores and higher attitude scores reflecting more positive attitudes toward early initiation of BF and 6 months EBF. Fathers in the intervention group were also more likely to report active involvement in supporting mothers to practice EBF during antenatal and postpartum periods.

CONCLUSIONS: The community-based education model should be maintained and considered for conducting further test in wider application to mobilize fathers in supporting EBF.

Authors: Bich, Tran Huu; Cuong, Nguyen Manh.

Journal: International Journal of Public Health. 2017 Feb;62(Suppl 1):17-26. doi: 10.1007/s00038-016-0882-0. Epub 2016 Sep 1.