Expectant Fathers in Malaysia - Knowledge and Attitude Towards Breastfeeding

Background: Expectant fathers’ knowledge and attitude towards breastfeeding/chestfeeding is important to support mothers and improving breastfeeding outcomes. It is important to identify these gaps to improve the method and quality of information given during breastfeeding education to this population.

Research Aim: This study assessed the level of knowledge and attitude of expectant fathers towards breastfeeding/chestfeeding and their association with the participants’ sociodemographic profiles.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was done among expectant husbands of women attending antenatal care at an urban Maternal and Child Health Clinic, in Malaysia. Participants were required to answer a self-administered online questionnaire which included their sociodemographic profile and the Knowledge and Attitude Breastfeeding Questionnaire (KA-BFQ).

Results: A total of 66 participants responded, however only 55 completed the questionnaire. The median (IQR) total score for breastfeeding knowledge was 29(12) and the mean score for breastfeeding attitude was 82.98 (±9.625). Only 50.9% of participants demonstrated good knowledge on breastfeeding and 54.5% of participants showed good attitude towards breastfeeding/chestfeeding. Age (p=0.009), monthly household income (p=0.016), number of children (p < 0.001), and history of breastfeeding (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with knowledge level. Only the number of children was associated with the level of attitude towards breastfeeding (p=0.030). There was a positive correlation between the level of knowledge and the level of attitude towards breastfeeding.

Conclusion: Expectant fathers have low level of breastfeeding knowledge with a poor attitude towards breastfeeding. Strategies should be targeted towards expectant fathers to enhance their knowledge and attitude in supporting their wives to improve the breastfeeding outcomes.

Publication: Not applicable 

Diversity and Inclusion: Research was conducted in a rural area in Malaysia with multiracial ethnicity and religions.

This study was also supported by the authors:
Nurul Syuhada Samsuri – Family Medicine Specialist, Klinik Kesihatan Bukit Minyak
Afaaf Esa – Dr, Klinik Primer Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre