Factors Affecting Thai Fathers' Self-Efficacy to Support Exclusive Breastfeeding.

Abstract

Breastfeeding is the ideal approach for feeding infants and is an important public health consideration. Successful exclusive breastfeeding initiation and duration is influenced by fathers' support. Paternal self-efficacy to support breastfeeding has also been shown to mediate infant feeding practices. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with Thai fathers' self-efficacy to support maternal exclusive breastfeeding. We adopted a cross-sectional survey design for this study. In total, 215 Thai fathers who had a partner with a term (37-42 weeks) pregnancy participated in the study. Data were collected from antenatal care clinics at two hospitals in Northern Thailand between June and August 2022. Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Fathers' Attitude toward Exclusive Breastfeeding questionnaire, the Fathers' Knowledge about Exclusive Breastfeeding questionnaire, and the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (Short-Form). Multiple linear regression and hierarchical regression were used to analyze factors influencing Thai fathers' self-efficacy to support maternal exclusive breastfeeding. The mean breastfeeding self-efficacy score was 52.94 (SD = 8.58), indicating that fathers were confident they were able to support their partners' breastfeeding. Regression analysis revealed family type, fathers' attitude toward, and fathers' knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding significantly explaining 14.90% of the variance in paternal breastfeeding support self-efficacy. However, fathers' age, education, employment, income, and number of living children were not associated with their self-efficacy. The results demonstrated that family type and fathers' attitudes/knowledge about breastfeeding influenced their self-efficacy to support exclusive breastfeeding. Nurses should consider implementing breastfeeding interventions specific to fathers to enhance their attitudes and knowledge about breastfeeding, including increasing fathers' self-efficacy to support maternal exclusive breastfeeding efforts.