Attitudes and Community Perspectives on Male Involvement in Breastfeeding, in Juba, South Sudan

Tobijo Denis Sokiri Moses; Ebenezer Obi Daniel; Zecho Gatkek Gatka-al; Wani Silas Lubang; Ahmed Mamuda Bello; Essien Grace Clement; Paul Olaiya Abiodun; Adebanke Adetutu Ogun; Israel Olukayode Popoola; Christiana Asibi-Ogben Inegbeboh; Michael Olabode Tomori; Friday Iyobosa Igbinovia; Michael Avwerhota

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ejpm.20210906.12

Attitudes and Community Perspectives on Male Involvement in Breastfeeding, in Juba, South Sudan

Tobijo Denis Sokiri Moses, Ebenezer Obi Daniel, Zecho Gatkek Gatka-al, Wani Silas Lubang, Ahmed Mamuda Bello, Essien Grace Clement, Paul Olaiya Abiodun, Adebanke Adetutu Ogun, Israel Olukayode Popoola, Christiana Asibi-Ogben Inegbeboh, Michael Olabode Tomori, Friday Iyobosa Igbinovia, Michael Avwerhota

Published in European Journal of Preventive Medicine (Volume 9, Issue 6)

Received: 14 November 2021 Accepted: 3 December 2021 Published: 24 December 2021

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Abstract

Fathers strongly influence the lactating mothers' decisions to initiate and continue breastfeeding as the father's infant feeding preferences may affect her intentions to breastfeed. This inspiration is a product of the perceptions of their roles as members of the breastfeeding family. Despite this, available breastfeeding promotion interventions in South Sudan, such as mother-to-mother support groups, focus on the mother. Equally, available literature on breastfeeding addresses general topics with limited exploration of male partner involvement. This study sought to understand male partner breastfeeding attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and opinions as drivers to actions, community views on male involvement, breastfeeding in public, and barriers to male participation in the breastfeeding process using a quantitative-qualitative methodology. Two hundred seventy-five fathers of children under two years responded to 9 close-ended questions exploring their attitudes towards breastfeeding, and 63 community leaders, women groups, religious leaders, and individuals of interest participated in 15 Key informant interviews and five focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28.0 and thematically to generate frequency tables, median (Mdn), and interquartile range (IQR), and recurring patterns. 200 (73%) of fathers were knowledgeable of the benefits of breastfeeding, and 224 (82%) did not believe breastfeeding negatively affects marriage. 217 (79%) disagreed that women lose their attractiveness when breastfeeding. 247 (90%) supported breastfeeding in public, and 224 (82%) agreed to share breastfeeding responsibilities. Patriarchal issues, gender role segregation, Sexism, and false beliefs; work-related, social, economic, and personal factors emerged as key barriers to male involvement in breastfeeding. While this study essentially presented positive attitudes of male partners towards breastfeeding, the cultural barriers that emerged are significant. Therefore, there is a need to design context-specific models to dispel misinformation about male participation in breastfeeding and expand on standard supportive practices.

Published in	European Journal of Preventive Medicine (Volume 9, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.ejpm.20210906.12
Page(s)	149-156
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Attitudes, Breastfeeding, Male, Involvement, Community, Perspectives

References

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[2]	WHO. (2017). 10 facts on breastfeeding. Retrieved from. https://www.who.int/features/factfiles/breastfeeding/en/.
[3]	UNICEF. (2011). Gender Influences on Child Survival, Health, and Nutrition: A Narrative Review. https://www.unicef.org/Gender_Influences_on_Child_Survival_a_Narrative_review.pdf.
[4]	UNSDGS. (2015). Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/health/.
[5]	Aguayo, V. M., & Ross, J. (2002). The monetary value of human milk in Francophone West Africa: a PROFILES analysis for nutrition policy communication. Food and nutrition bulletin, 23 (2), 153–161. https://doi.org/10.1177/156482650202300204.
[6]	Tsai. (2014). Influence of Partner Support on an Employed Mother's Intention to Breastfeed After Returning to Work. Breastfeed med. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4025622/.
[7]	Merritt, R., Vogel, M., Ladbury, P., & Johnson, S. (2019). A qualitative study to explore fathers' attitudes towards breastfeeding in South West England. Primary health care research & development, 20, e24. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1463423618000877.
[8]	Chisango, T., Mayekiso, T. and Thomae, M. (2015), The social nature of benevolent Sexism and the antisocial nature of hostile Sexism: Is benevolent Sexism more likely to manifest in public contexts and hostile Sexism in private contexts?. Int J Psychol, 50: 363-371. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12106.
[9]	CARE South Sudan. (2014). Gender in brief. https://www.care.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Gender20in20Brief20South20Sudan20.pdf.
[10]	Dumbaugh, M., Tawiah-Agyemang, C., Manu, A., ten Asbroek, G. H., Kirkwood, B., & Hill, Z. (2014). Perceptions of, attitudes towards and barriers to male involvement in newborn care in rural Ghana, West Africa: a qualitative analysis. BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 14, 269. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2393-14-269.
[11]	Abu-Abbas, M. W., Kassab, M., & Shelash, K. I. (2016). Fathers And Breastfeeding Process: Determining Their Role And Attitudes. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 12, 327-327.
[12]	World Bank. (2018).9lLiteracy rate, adult male (% of males ages 15 and above)-South Sudan. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.ADT.LITR.MA.ZS?locations=SS.
[13]	Papp L. M. (2012). The longitudinal role of breastfeeding in mothers' and fathers' relationship quality trajectories. Breastfeeding medicine: the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, 7 (4), 241–247. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2011.0074.
[14]	Komodiki, E., Kontogeorgou, A., Papastavrou, M., Volaki, P., & Genitsaridi, S. (2014). Breastfeeding in public: a global review of different attitudes towards it. J Pediatr Neonatal Care, 1 (6), 00040. DOI: 10.15406/jpnc.2014.01.00040.
[15]	Australian Breastfeeding Association. (2012). We're in this together with the breastfeeding partnership. https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/we%E2%80%99re-together-%E2%80%A6-breastfeeding-partnership.
[16]	Kimani-Murage, E. W., Wekesah, F., Wanjohi, M., Kyobutungi, C., Ezeh, A. C., Musoke, R. N.,... & Griffiths, P. (2015). Factors affecting actualization of the WHO breastfeeding recommendations in urban poor settings in K enya. Maternal & child nutrition, 11 (3), 314-332. brief.pdf.

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APA Style

Tobijo Denis Sokiri Moses, Ebenezer Obi Daniel, Zecho Gatkek Gatka-al, Wani Silas Lubang, Ahmed Mamuda Bello, et al. (2021). Attitudes and Community Perspectives on Male Involvement in Breastfeeding, in Juba, South Sudan. European Journal of Preventive Medicine, 9(6), 149-156. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20210906.12

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ACS Style

Tobijo Denis Sokiri Moses; Ebenezer Obi Daniel; Zecho Gatkek Gatka-al; Wani Silas Lubang; Ahmed Mamuda Bello, et al. Attitudes and Community Perspectives on Male Involvement in Breastfeeding, in Juba, South Sudan. Eur. J. Prev. Med. 2021, 9(6), 149-156. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20210906.12

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AMA Style

Tobijo Denis Sokiri Moses, Ebenezer Obi Daniel, Zecho Gatkek Gatka-al, Wani Silas Lubang, Ahmed Mamuda Bello, et al. Attitudes and Community Perspectives on Male Involvement in Breastfeeding, in Juba, South Sudan. Eur J Prev Med. 2021;9(6):149-156. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20210906.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ejpm.20210906.12,
  author = {Tobijo Denis Sokiri Moses and Ebenezer Obi Daniel and Zecho Gatkek Gatka-al and Wani Silas Lubang and Ahmed Mamuda Bello and Essien Grace Clement and Paul Olaiya Abiodun and Adebanke Adetutu Ogun and Israel Olukayode Popoola and Christiana Asibi-Ogben Inegbeboh and Michael Olabode Tomori and Friday Iyobosa Igbinovia and Michael Avwerhota},
  title = {Attitudes and Community Perspectives on Male Involvement in Breastfeeding, in Juba, South Sudan},
  journal = {European Journal of Preventive Medicine},
  volume = {9},
  number = {6},
  pages = {149-156},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ejpm.20210906.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20210906.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ejpm.20210906.12},
  abstract = {Fathers strongly influence the lactating mothers' decisions to initiate and continue breastfeeding as the father's infant feeding preferences may affect her intentions to breastfeed. This inspiration is a product of the perceptions of their roles as members of the breastfeeding family. Despite this, available breastfeeding promotion interventions in South Sudan, such as mother-to-mother support groups, focus on the mother. Equally, available literature on breastfeeding addresses general topics with limited exploration of male partner involvement. This study sought to understand male partner breastfeeding attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and opinions as drivers to actions, community views on male involvement, breastfeeding in public, and barriers to male participation in the breastfeeding process using a quantitative-qualitative methodology. Two hundred seventy-five fathers of children under two years responded to 9 close-ended questions exploring their attitudes towards breastfeeding, and 63 community leaders, women groups, religious leaders, and individuals of interest participated in 15 Key informant interviews and five focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28.0 and thematically to generate frequency tables, median (Mdn), and interquartile range (IQR), and recurring patterns. 200 (73%) of fathers were knowledgeable of the benefits of breastfeeding, and 224 (82%) did not believe breastfeeding negatively affects marriage. 217 (79%) disagreed that women lose their attractiveness when breastfeeding. 247 (90%) supported breastfeeding in public, and 224 (82%) agreed to share breastfeeding responsibilities. Patriarchal issues, gender role segregation, Sexism, and false beliefs; work-related, social, economic, and personal factors emerged as key barriers to male involvement in breastfeeding. While this study essentially presented positive attitudes of male partners towards breastfeeding, the cultural barriers that emerged are significant. Therefore, there is a need to design context-specific models to dispel misinformation about male participation in breastfeeding and expand on standard supportive practices.},
 year = {2021}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Attitudes and Community Perspectives on Male Involvement in Breastfeeding, in Juba, South Sudan
AU  - Tobijo Denis Sokiri Moses
AU  - Ebenezer Obi Daniel
AU  - Zecho Gatkek Gatka-al
AU  - Wani Silas Lubang
AU  - Ahmed Mamuda Bello
AU  - Essien Grace Clement
AU  - Paul Olaiya Abiodun
AU  - Adebanke Adetutu Ogun
AU  - Israel Olukayode Popoola
AU  - Christiana Asibi-Ogben Inegbeboh
AU  - Michael Olabode Tomori
AU  - Friday Iyobosa Igbinovia
AU  - Michael Avwerhota
Y1  - 2021/12/24
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20210906.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ejpm.20210906.12
T2  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
JF  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
JO  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
SP  - 149
EP  - 156
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8230
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20210906.12
AB  - Fathers strongly influence the lactating mothers' decisions to initiate and continue breastfeeding as the father's infant feeding preferences may affect her intentions to breastfeed. This inspiration is a product of the perceptions of their roles as members of the breastfeeding family. Despite this, available breastfeeding promotion interventions in South Sudan, such as mother-to-mother support groups, focus on the mother. Equally, available literature on breastfeeding addresses general topics with limited exploration of male partner involvement. This study sought to understand male partner breastfeeding attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and opinions as drivers to actions, community views on male involvement, breastfeeding in public, and barriers to male participation in the breastfeeding process using a quantitative-qualitative methodology. Two hundred seventy-five fathers of children under two years responded to 9 close-ended questions exploring their attitudes towards breastfeeding, and 63 community leaders, women groups, religious leaders, and individuals of interest participated in 15 Key informant interviews and five focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28.0 and thematically to generate frequency tables, median (Mdn), and interquartile range (IQR), and recurring patterns. 200 (73%) of fathers were knowledgeable of the benefits of breastfeeding, and 224 (82%) did not believe breastfeeding negatively affects marriage. 217 (79%) disagreed that women lose their attractiveness when breastfeeding. 247 (90%) supported breastfeeding in public, and 224 (82%) agreed to share breastfeeding responsibilities. Patriarchal issues, gender role segregation, Sexism, and false beliefs; work-related, social, economic, and personal factors emerged as key barriers to male involvement in breastfeeding. While this study essentially presented positive attitudes of male partners towards breastfeeding, the cultural barriers that emerged are significant. Therefore, there is a need to design context-specific models to dispel misinformation about male participation in breastfeeding and expand on standard supportive practices.
VL  - 9
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Tobijo Denis Sokiri Moses

Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana
Ebenezer Obi Daniel

Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana
Zecho Gatkek Gatka-al

Department of Primary Health Care, National Ministry of Health, Juba, South Sudan
Wani Silas Lubang

Department of Primary Health Care, National Ministry of Health, Juba, South Sudan
Ahmed Mamuda Bello

Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana
Essien Grace Clement

Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana
Paul Olaiya Abiodun

Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana
Adebanke Adetutu Ogun

International Organization for Migration, Asokoro Extension, Abuja, Nigeria
Israel Olukayode Popoola

Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Christiana Asibi-Ogben Inegbeboh

Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana
Michael Olabode Tomori

Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana
Friday Iyobosa Igbinovia

Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana
Michael Avwerhota

Department of Public Health, Atlantic International University, Hawaii, United States of American

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APA Style

Tobijo Denis Sokiri Moses, Ebenezer Obi Daniel, Zecho Gatkek Gatka-al, Wani Silas Lubang, Ahmed Mamuda Bello, et al. (2021). Attitudes and Community Perspectives on Male Involvement in Breastfeeding, in Juba, South Sudan. European Journal of Preventive Medicine, 9(6), 149-156. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20210906.12

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ACS Style

Tobijo Denis Sokiri Moses; Ebenezer Obi Daniel; Zecho Gatkek Gatka-al; Wani Silas Lubang; Ahmed Mamuda Bello, et al. Attitudes and Community Perspectives on Male Involvement in Breastfeeding, in Juba, South Sudan. Eur. J. Prev. Med. 2021, 9(6), 149-156. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20210906.12

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AMA Style

Tobijo Denis Sokiri Moses, Ebenezer Obi Daniel, Zecho Gatkek Gatka-al, Wani Silas Lubang, Ahmed Mamuda Bello, et al. Attitudes and Community Perspectives on Male Involvement in Breastfeeding, in Juba, South Sudan. Eur J Prev Med. 2021;9(6):149-156. doi: 10.11648/j.ejpm.20210906.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ejpm.20210906.12,
  author = {Tobijo Denis Sokiri Moses and Ebenezer Obi Daniel and Zecho Gatkek Gatka-al and Wani Silas Lubang and Ahmed Mamuda Bello and Essien Grace Clement and Paul Olaiya Abiodun and Adebanke Adetutu Ogun and Israel Olukayode Popoola and Christiana Asibi-Ogben Inegbeboh and Michael Olabode Tomori and Friday Iyobosa Igbinovia and Michael Avwerhota},
  title = {Attitudes and Community Perspectives on Male Involvement in Breastfeeding, in Juba, South Sudan},
  journal = {European Journal of Preventive Medicine},
  volume = {9},
  number = {6},
  pages = {149-156},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ejpm.20210906.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20210906.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ejpm.20210906.12},
  abstract = {Fathers strongly influence the lactating mothers' decisions to initiate and continue breastfeeding as the father's infant feeding preferences may affect her intentions to breastfeed. This inspiration is a product of the perceptions of their roles as members of the breastfeeding family. Despite this, available breastfeeding promotion interventions in South Sudan, such as mother-to-mother support groups, focus on the mother. Equally, available literature on breastfeeding addresses general topics with limited exploration of male partner involvement. This study sought to understand male partner breastfeeding attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and opinions as drivers to actions, community views on male involvement, breastfeeding in public, and barriers to male participation in the breastfeeding process using a quantitative-qualitative methodology. Two hundred seventy-five fathers of children under two years responded to 9 close-ended questions exploring their attitudes towards breastfeeding, and 63 community leaders, women groups, religious leaders, and individuals of interest participated in 15 Key informant interviews and five focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28.0 and thematically to generate frequency tables, median (Mdn), and interquartile range (IQR), and recurring patterns. 200 (73%) of fathers were knowledgeable of the benefits of breastfeeding, and 224 (82%) did not believe breastfeeding negatively affects marriage. 217 (79%) disagreed that women lose their attractiveness when breastfeeding. 247 (90%) supported breastfeeding in public, and 224 (82%) agreed to share breastfeeding responsibilities. Patriarchal issues, gender role segregation, Sexism, and false beliefs; work-related, social, economic, and personal factors emerged as key barriers to male involvement in breastfeeding. While this study essentially presented positive attitudes of male partners towards breastfeeding, the cultural barriers that emerged are significant. Therefore, there is a need to design context-specific models to dispel misinformation about male participation in breastfeeding and expand on standard supportive practices.},
 year = {2021}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Attitudes and Community Perspectives on Male Involvement in Breastfeeding, in Juba, South Sudan
AU  - Tobijo Denis Sokiri Moses
AU  - Ebenezer Obi Daniel
AU  - Zecho Gatkek Gatka-al
AU  - Wani Silas Lubang
AU  - Ahmed Mamuda Bello
AU  - Essien Grace Clement
AU  - Paul Olaiya Abiodun
AU  - Adebanke Adetutu Ogun
AU  - Israel Olukayode Popoola
AU  - Christiana Asibi-Ogben Inegbeboh
AU  - Michael Olabode Tomori
AU  - Friday Iyobosa Igbinovia
AU  - Michael Avwerhota
Y1  - 2021/12/24
PY  - 2021
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20210906.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ejpm.20210906.12
T2  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
JF  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
JO  - European Journal of Preventive Medicine
SP  - 149
EP  - 156
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8230
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ejpm.20210906.12
AB  - Fathers strongly influence the lactating mothers' decisions to initiate and continue breastfeeding as the father's infant feeding preferences may affect her intentions to breastfeed. This inspiration is a product of the perceptions of their roles as members of the breastfeeding family. Despite this, available breastfeeding promotion interventions in South Sudan, such as mother-to-mother support groups, focus on the mother. Equally, available literature on breastfeeding addresses general topics with limited exploration of male partner involvement. This study sought to understand male partner breastfeeding attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and opinions as drivers to actions, community views on male involvement, breastfeeding in public, and barriers to male participation in the breastfeeding process using a quantitative-qualitative methodology. Two hundred seventy-five fathers of children under two years responded to 9 close-ended questions exploring their attitudes towards breastfeeding, and 63 community leaders, women groups, religious leaders, and individuals of interest participated in 15 Key informant interviews and five focus group discussions. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28.0 and thematically to generate frequency tables, median (Mdn), and interquartile range (IQR), and recurring patterns. 200 (73%) of fathers were knowledgeable of the benefits of breastfeeding, and 224 (82%) did not believe breastfeeding negatively affects marriage. 217 (79%) disagreed that women lose their attractiveness when breastfeeding. 247 (90%) supported breastfeeding in public, and 224 (82%) agreed to share breastfeeding responsibilities. Patriarchal issues, gender role segregation, Sexism, and false beliefs; work-related, social, economic, and personal factors emerged as key barriers to male involvement in breastfeeding. While this study essentially presented positive attitudes of male partners towards breastfeeding, the cultural barriers that emerged are significant. Therefore, there is a need to design context-specific models to dispel misinformation about male participation in breastfeeding and expand on standard supportive practices.
VL  - 9
IS  - 6
ER  -

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