Website : www.jocm.vn Email : jocm@bachmai.edu.vn Phone : +84947040855
Tran Huu Bich
Hanoi University of Public Health
Email: thb@huph.edu.vn
Objective: This study evaluates the results of the health education intervention aimed at improving paternal knowledge, attitude toward exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) and also involvement in supporting EBF.
Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used. At baseline, 390 and 412 pregnant women and their husbands were enrolled into the intervention and control groups, respectively. The 1-year intervention applied social cognitive theory targeting fathers included mass media, game show-style community events, group and individual counseling and home visits.
Main findings: Fathers in the intervention group had higher breastfeeding knowledge scores and higher attitude scores reflecting more positive attitudes toward 6 months EBF, self-effcacy, belief and social norms in practicing EBF. And they were also more likely to report active involvement in supporting mothers to practice EBF through direct and indirect supporting activities.
Conclusions: The community-based education model should be maintained in a package and considered for conducting further evaluation in wider application to mobilize fathers of intact families in supporting EBF.
Keywords: Fathers, knowledge, attitude and practice, Breastfeeding, social cognitive theory.