Current status and influencing factors of infant father's support for breastfeeding

Objective To explore the current situation and influencing factors of infant father's support for breastfeeding, and provide a basis for improving the degree of support of infant fathers for breastfeeding.

Methods In November 2023, a questionnaire survey was conducted among the fathers of infants aged 0–3 years in Hefei City selected by convenience sampling using the general information questionnaire, breastfeeding knowledge scale and partner breastfeeding influence scal (PBIS). One-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of father of infant for supporting breastfeeding.

Results The PBIS score of 507 survey subjects was (75.33 ± 17.22) points, the average score of each item was (3.3 ± 0.4) points, the average score of the items in the dimension of perceived knowledge was the lowest at (2.58 ± 0.13) points, and the average scores of the items in the dimensions of help and gratitude were (3.48 ± 0.24) points and (3.46 ± 0.20) points, respectively. The results of multiple linear regression showed that the marital relationship during lactation, having learned about breastfeeding knowledge through self-media, books and other channels, educational level, paternity leave and breastfeeding knowledge were the influencing factors of infant father to support breastfeeding (P ＜ 0.05 to P ＜ 0.01).

Conclusions The support for breastfeeding among infant father is at a moderate level. Establishing a good marital relationship, enhancing the breastfeeding knowledge level of infant father through multiple channels and ensuring paternity leave are of great significance for improving the degree of support for father's breastfeeding.