The impact of paternal support on the success of exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers in Ado-Odo/Ota local government area of Ogun State

Introduction. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is crucial for infant health, but socio-cultural factors, particularly paternal support, influence its success. Objective. This study examined the impact of paternal support on EBF among lactating mothers in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, Ogun State, N...

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Main Authors: Jelili A. QUADRI, Yetunde J. OSINOWO, Lyanu C. ALAGBE, Tobi I. AKINREMI, Bilikisu T. EDUN
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Société Algérienne de Nutrition 2025-07-01
Series:Nutrition & Santé
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Online Access:https://www.nutrition-sante.dz/articles/the-impact-of-paternal-support-on-the-success-of-exclusive-breastfeeding-among-lactating-mothers-in-ado-odo-ota-local-government-area-of-ogun-state-jelili-a-quadri-yetunde-j-osinowo-lyanu-c-alagbe
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author Jelili A. QUADRI
Yetunde J. OSINOWO
Lyanu C. ALAGBE
Tobi I. AKINREMI
Bilikisu T. EDUN
author_facet Jelili A. QUADRI
Yetunde J. OSINOWO
Lyanu C. ALAGBE
Tobi I. AKINREMI
Bilikisu T. EDUN
author_sort Jelili A. QUADRI
collection DOAJ
description Introduction. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is crucial for infant health, but socio-cultural factors, particularly paternal support, influence its success. Objective. This study examined the impact of paternal support on EBF among lactating mothers in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria. Population and Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 338 participants, including lactating mothers with infants aged 0–6 months and their spouses. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Results. Forty-five % of fathers were aware of EBF, but only 29% correctly identified the recommended six-month duration. While 50% believed in the benefits of EBF, 33% viewed breastfeeding as solely the mother responsibility. Only 19% had received formal breastfeeding edu-cation. Despite this, 41% were willing to participate in EBF awareness programs. Paternal support was observed in 58% of cases, with financial assistance (70%) being the most common, followed by emotional encouragement (55%), and household assistance (45%). However, only 20% of fathers attended postnatal visits. EBF coverage in the study area was 26%, with early discontinuation attributed to work constraints (45%), percei-ved insufficient breast milk (35%), and lack of partner support (30%). Significant positive correlations were found between paternal emotional support and EBF duration (p=0.001, r=0.47), and financial support and EBF duration (p=0.005, r=0.38). Conversely, work schedule limitations affected negatively EBF duration (p=0.012, r=-0.35). Cultural beliefs also played a role, with 55% of respondents (both parents) perceiving breastfeeding as solely the mother responsibility. Conclusion. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to enhance paternal engagement in EBF. Recom-mendations include increased male-targeted breastfeeding education, workplace policies supporting lactating mothers and their spouses, and community awareness campaigns addressing cultural barriers. Strengthening policies to encourage father-inclusive maternal health programs can significantly improve EBF rates and infant health outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-4c3f7b6bb49d499391ce77fb545ce2dc2025-08-20T04:02:18ZengSociété Algérienne de NutritionNutrition & Santé2253-09832353-026X2025-07-01140191710.30952/ns.14.1.2The impact of paternal support on the success of exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers in Ado-Odo/Ota local government area of Ogun StateJelili A. QUADRI0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3134-6501Yetunde J. OSINOWO1Lyanu C. ALAGBE2Tobi I. AKINREMI3Bilikisu T. EDUN41Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, NigeriaDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Polytechnic of Health and Allied Sciences, Ogun State, NigeriaDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, NigeriaDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, NigeriaDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, Polytechnic of Health and Allied Sciences, Ogun State, Nigeria.Introduction. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is crucial for infant health, but socio-cultural factors, particularly paternal support, influence its success. Objective. This study examined the impact of paternal support on EBF among lactating mothers in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria. Population and Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 338 participants, including lactating mothers with infants aged 0–6 months and their spouses. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Results. Forty-five % of fathers were aware of EBF, but only 29% correctly identified the recommended six-month duration. While 50% believed in the benefits of EBF, 33% viewed breastfeeding as solely the mother responsibility. Only 19% had received formal breastfeeding edu-cation. Despite this, 41% were willing to participate in EBF awareness programs. Paternal support was observed in 58% of cases, with financial assistance (70%) being the most common, followed by emotional encouragement (55%), and household assistance (45%). However, only 20% of fathers attended postnatal visits. EBF coverage in the study area was 26%, with early discontinuation attributed to work constraints (45%), percei-ved insufficient breast milk (35%), and lack of partner support (30%). Significant positive correlations were found between paternal emotional support and EBF duration (p=0.001, r=0.47), and financial support and EBF duration (p=0.005, r=0.38). Conversely, work schedule limitations affected negatively EBF duration (p=0.012, r=-0.35). Cultural beliefs also played a role, with 55% of respondents (both parents) perceiving breastfeeding as solely the mother responsibility. Conclusion. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to enhance paternal engagement in EBF. Recom-mendations include increased male-targeted breastfeeding education, workplace policies supporting lactating mothers and their spouses, and community awareness campaigns addressing cultural barriers. Strengthening policies to encourage father-inclusive maternal health programs can significantly improve EBF rates and infant health outcomes.https://www.nutrition-sante.dz/articles/the-impact-of-paternal-support-on-the-success-of-exclusive-breastfeeding-among-lactating-mothers-in-ado-odo-ota-local-government-area-of-ogun-state-jelili-a-quadri-yetunde-j-osinowo-lyanu-c-alagbeexclusive breastfeedingpaternal supportlactating mothersinfant nutritioncultural barriers
spellingShingle Jelili A. QUADRI
Yetunde J. OSINOWO
Lyanu C. ALAGBE
Tobi I. AKINREMI
Bilikisu T. EDUN
The impact of paternal support on the success of exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers in Ado-Odo/Ota local government area of Ogun State
Nutrition & Santé
exclusive breastfeeding
paternal support
lactating mothers
infant nutrition
cultural barriers
title The impact of paternal support on the success of exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers in Ado-Odo/Ota local government area of Ogun State
title_full The impact of paternal support on the success of exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers in Ado-Odo/Ota local government area of Ogun State
title_fullStr The impact of paternal support on the success of exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers in Ado-Odo/Ota local government area of Ogun State
title_full_unstemmed The impact of paternal support on the success of exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers in Ado-Odo/Ota local government area of Ogun State
title_short The impact of paternal support on the success of exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers in Ado-Odo/Ota local government area of Ogun State
title_sort impact of paternal support on the success of exclusive breastfeeding among lactating mothers in ado odo ota local government area of ogun state
topic exclusive breastfeeding
paternal support
lactating mothers
infant nutrition
cultural barriers
url https://www.nutrition-sante.dz/articles/the-impact-of-paternal-support-on-the-success-of-exclusive-breastfeeding-among-lactating-mothers-in-ado-odo-ota-local-government-area-of-ogun-state-jelili-a-quadri-yetunde-j-osinowo-lyanu-c-alagbe
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