A cross-sectional comparison of breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and perceived partners’ support among expectant couples in Mekelle, Ethiopia Gebremariam, Kidane, Zelenko, O, Mulugeta, A and Gallegos, D 2021, A cross-sectional comparison of breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and perceived partners’ support among expectant couples in Mekelle, Ethiopia, International Breastfeeding Journal, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 3, doi: 10.1186/s13006-020-00355-z. Attached Files Name Description MIMEType Size Downloads Title A cross-sectional comparison of breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and perceived partners’ support among expectant couples in Mekelle, Ethiopia Author(s) Gebremariam, Kidane Zelenko, O Mulugeta, A Gallegos, D Journal name International Breastfeeding Journal Volume number 16 Issue number 1 Article ID 3 Start page 3 Publisher Springer Science and Business Media LLC Place of publication England Publication date 2021-12-01 ISSN 1746-4358 1746-4358 Keyword(s) Attitude Breastfeeding Comparison Knowledge Parents Support Summary Abstract Background Breastfeeding is considered the biological norm and essential to reduce infant morbidity and mortality. Mothers are responsible for breastfeeding but the support of others, including their partners is an influential determinant. The aim of this study was to compare antenatal breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and perceived breastfeeding support of expectant couples in Mekelle, Ethiopia. Methods As part of a randomised controlled trial of an mHealth intervention, 128 couples in their third trimester from three selected health centres in Mekelle city were recruited to participate between September and October 2018. Couples who each had a personal mobile phone, read and spoke Tigrigna, and lived together were included. Baseline data on breastfeeding knowledge, attitudes, and perceived support (breastfeeding savvy, help, appreciation, presence and responsiveness) were collected using previously validated tools through interview by health workers. Results Compared to mothers, male partners were more likely to indicate their intention to provide breastfeeding appreciation (p = 0.02), breastfeeding presence (p = 0.002), and breastfeeding responsiveness (p = 0.04). The mothers’ prenatal perception of their partners’ intended breastfeeding support was lower than fathers’ perceptions to support their partners. Multiparous mothers had more positive perceptions regarding their partners’ breastfeeding savvy (p = 0.03), and breastfeeding help (p = 0.02) compared to primiparous mothers. Conclusions Fathers in Ethiopia are potentially strong supporters of breastfeeding practice. Future breastfeeding interventions should promote the involvement of fathers in breastfeeding and encourage mothers to increase their partners’ involvement in breastfeeding. DOI 10.1186/s13006-020-00355-z Indigenous content off Field of Research 1110 Nursing 1117 Public Health and Health Services Free to Read? Yes Persistent URL http://hdl.handle.net/10536/DRO/DU:30166576 Document type: Journal Article Collections: Faculty of Health School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Open Access Collection Related Links Link Description Link to full-text (open access)   Connect to published version Go to link with your DU access privileges   Author URL Go to link with your DU access privileges   Connect to Elements publication management system Go to link with your DU access privileges     Unless expressly stated otherwise, the copyright for items in DRO is owned by the author, with all rights reserved. Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that permission has been obtained for items included in DRO. If you believe that your rights have been infringed by this repository, please contact drosupport@deakin.edu.au. Versions Version Filter Type Fri, 08 Apr 2022, 09:01:41 EST Mon, 11 Apr 2022, 15:46:40 EST Thu, 28 Apr 2022, 06:04:23 EST Sun, 01 May 2022, 23:52:45 EST Mon, 02 May 2022, 14:05:58 EST Thu, 05 May 2022, 23:37:18 EST Filtered Full Citation counts:   Cited 0 times in TR Web of Science Cited 1 times in Scopus Search Google Scholar Access Statistics: 8 Abstract Views, 0 File Downloads  -  Detailed Statistics Created: Fri, 08 Apr 2022, 09:01:41 EST