Journal article

Changes in knowledge, attitude and involvement of fathers in supporting exclusive breastfeeding: A community-based intervention study in a rural area of Viet Nam (Bich TH., 2016. International Journal of Public Health)

01 Sep 16
Author(s)Tran Huu Bich, Nguyen Manh Cuong
Topic(s): Complementary feeding, Research
Location: East Asia Pacific
Language(s): English
Audience: Program designers and implementers
Programs: Interpersonal communication, Social and behavior change, Strategic use of data

A one-year intervention in Viet Nam sought to understand how fathers’ knowledge, attitudes, and involvement in supporting exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) might change after receiving breastfeeding education materials and counseling services. Social and behavior change communications activities included mass media, game show-style community events, group and individual counseling at health facilities and home visits. 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. Therefore this community-based education model should be maintained and considered for wider application to mobilize fathers in supporting EBF.

 
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