Emine Ozlüses1, Ayda Celebioglu. 1. Institute of Health Sciences of Near East University, Nicosia, Turkish Republic of North Cyprus; and *Faculty of Health Sciences of Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey. Correspondence to: Dr Ayda Çelebioglu, Ataturk University Faculty of Health Sciences, Erzurum, Turkey. ayda@atauni.edu.tr.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of breastfeeding education provided to fathers on breastfeeding rates and paternal-infant attachment. METHODS:117 couples with their infants with the inclusion criteria: knowledge of reading, writing and speaking Turkish; living in the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus until their infants were six months old; and infants having no health problems preventing the early initiation of breastfeeding. Participants were divided into 3 groups (2 experimental and 1 control). Breastfeeding education was provided to the mothers (20 min/d) in the first group (n=38) and to the mothers and fathers in the second group (n=39) (20 min/d/parent) until they were discharged from the hospital. This education was supplemented by a training booklet. The parents and their infants were followed until the infants were six months old. Exclusive breastfeeding rates and Paternal-Infant Attachment Scale scores at six months were main outcome measures. RESULTS:Exclusive breastfeeding rates (56.4%, 33.3% and 12.8%; P<0.001) and mean (SD) Paternal-Infant Attachment Scale scores [89.51(7.05), 82.37 (12.80) and 73.38 (18.67); P<0.001] were highest in the group where education was provided to both mother and father. CONCLUSIONS: Providing breastfeeding education to fathers increases exclusive breastfeeding rates and strengthens paternal attachment.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of breastfeeding education provided to fathers on breastfeeding rates and paternal-infant attachment. METHODS: 117 couples with their infants with the inclusion criteria: knowledge of reading, writing and speaking Turkish; living in the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus until their infants were six months old; and infants having no health problems preventing the early initiation of breastfeeding. Participants were divided into 3 groups (2 experimental and 1 control). Breastfeeding education was provided to the mothers (20 min/d) in the first group (n=38) and to the mothers and fathers in the second group (n=39) (20 min/d/parent) until they were discharged from the hospital. This education was supplemented by a training booklet. The parents and their infants were followed until the infants were six months old. Exclusive breastfeeding rates and Paternal-Infant Attachment Scale scores at six months were main outcome measures. RESULTS: Exclusive breastfeeding rates (56.4%, 33.3% and 12.8%; P<0.001) and mean (SD) Paternal-Infant Attachment Scale scores [89.51(7.05), 82.37 (12.80) and 73.38 (18.67); P<0.001] were highest in the group where education was provided to both mother and father. CONCLUSIONS: Providing breastfeeding education to fathers increases exclusive breastfeeding rates and strengthens paternal attachment.
Authors: Emma J Marks; Cameron C Grant; Teresa Gontijo de Castro; Dinusha K Bandara; Clare Wall; Susan M B Morton Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-06-11 Impact factor: 3.390