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Roles and Associated Sociodemographic Correlates of Male Involvement in Breastfeeding in Juba, South Sudan

Received: 7 November 2021     Accepted: 25 November 2021     Published: 2 December 2021
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Abstract

Optimal breastfeeding, which involves initiating breastfeeding within one hour of birth, giving colostrum, exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and introducing complementary food at six months, prevents under-five deaths in developing countries, saving millions of lives annually. The maximum effect of prolactin and oxytocin on milk production is dependent on insulin, insulin-like growth factors, cortisol, and the intake of nutrients and fluids. Stress affects these factors and processes, reducing the quantity and quality of milk for the growth and health of the baby. The supportive or non-supportive role of male partners affects the mothers' physical and emotional states. The researchers administered a structured questionnaire of 13 close-ended questions through scheduled interviews with 275 male parents of children younger than two years. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28.0 analyzed the data to generate frequencies, median, and interquartile range as measures of dispersion and central tendency, respectively. Spearman's rank correlation test did the calculations of correlations. Fathers helped with house works, responding to the baby's cries and bathing the baby (86%); taking care of other children or other house responsibilities (85%); taking care of the baby while the mother sleeps for a bit of time (85%) and smiling, holding and watching the mother as she breastfeeds (91%). Roles were correlated with education level (r=.308, p=0.000<0.05) and employment (r=-.155, p=.007<0.05) but not with hours of work (r=0.049, p=0.448>0.05).

Published in Journal of Family Medicine and Health Care (Volume 7, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.jfmhc.20210704.13
Page(s) 98-104
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), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Fathers, Roles, Breastfeeding, Juba, South Sudan

References
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[4] Unicef.org. (2021). Exclusive breastfeeding rates are up in South Sudan as the country marks World Breastfeeding Week. https://www.unicef.org/southsudan/press-releases/exclusive-breastfeeding-rates-south-sudan-country-marks-world-breastfeeding-week.
[5] WHO & The Lancet. (2016). LANCET BREASTFEEDING SERIES: Key Messages and Findings. https://www.who.int/pmnch/media/news/2016/breastfeeding_lancet.pdf.
[6] Yourkavitch, J. M., Alvey, J. L., Prosnitz, D. M., & Thomas, J. C. (2017). Engaging men to promote and support exclusive breastfeeding: a descriptive review of 28 projects in 20 low-and middle-income countries from 2003 to 2013. Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition, 36 (1), 1-10.
[7] Dinga, L. A., Kiage, B. N., & Kyallo, F. M. (2018). Effect of paternal education about complementary feeding of infants in Kisumu County, Kenya. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 18 (3), 13702-13716.
[8] Abera, M., Abdulahi, M., & Wakayo, T. (2017). Fathers' involvement in breastfeeding practices and associated factors among households with fewer than six months in Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study. Pediatr Ther, 7 (1), 1000306.
[9] Ng, R., Shorey, S., & He, H. G. (2019). Integrative Review of the Factors That Influence Fathers' Involvement in the Breastfeeding of Their Infants. Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing: JOGNN, 48 (1), 16–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2018.10.005.
[10] Temple Newhook, J., Newhook, L. A., Midodzi, W. K., Murphy Goodridge, J., Burrage, L., Gill, N., Halfyard, B., & Twells, L. (2017). Poverty and Breastfeeding: Comparing Determinants of Early Breastfeeding Cessation Incidence in Socioeconomically Marginalized and Privileged Populations in the FiNaL Study. Health equity, 1 (1), 96–102. https://doi.org/10.1089/heq.2016.0028.
[11] World Bank. (2018). Literacy rate, adult male (% of males ages 15 and above)-South Sudan. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.ADT.LITR.MA.ZS?locations=SS.
[12] 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.
[13] Datta, J., Graham, B., & Wellings, K. (2012). The role of fathers in breastfeeding: Decision-making and support. British journal of midwifery, 20 (3), 159-167.https://doi.org/10.12968/bjom.2012.20.3.159.
[14] Tamiru, D., Belachew, T., Loha, E., & Mohammed, S. (2012). Sub-optimal breastfeeding of infants during the first six months and associated factors in rural communities of Jimma Arjo Woreda, Southwest Ethiopia. BMC public health, 12, 363. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-363.
[15] Mat Nawi, N. I., & Abdul Hamid, S. B. (2021). Determinants of fathers' involvement in breastfeeding practices in Kuala Selangor. Malaysian Journal of Nutrition, 27 (1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.31246/mjn-2020-0070.
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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). Roles and Associated Sociodemographic Correlates of Male Involvement in Breastfeeding in Juba, South Sudan. Journal of Family Medicine and Health Care, 7(4), 98-104. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfmhc.20210704.13

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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. Roles and Associated Sociodemographic Correlates of Male Involvement in Breastfeeding in Juba, South Sudan. J. Fam. Med. Health Care 2021, 7(4), 98-104. doi: 10.11648/j.jfmhc.20210704.13

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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. Roles and Associated Sociodemographic Correlates of Male Involvement in Breastfeeding in Juba, South Sudan. J Fam Med Health Care. 2021;7(4):98-104. doi: 10.11648/j.jfmhc.20210704.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.jfmhc.20210704.13,
      author = {Tobijo Denis Sokiri Moses and Ebenezer Obi Daniel and Zecho Gatkek Gatka-al and Wani Silas Lubang and Ahmed Mamuda Bello and Paul Olaiya Abiodun and Israel Olukayode Popoola and Adebanke Adetutu Ogun and Christiana Asibi-Ogben Inegbeboh and Michael Olabode Tomori and Friday Iyobosa Igbinovia and Oladapo Michael Olagbegi and Gabriel Omoniyi Ayeni},
      title = {Roles and Associated Sociodemographic Correlates of Male Involvement in Breastfeeding in Juba, South Sudan},
      journal = {Journal of Family Medicine and Health Care},
      volume = {7},
      number = {4},
      pages = {98-104},
      doi = {10.11648/j.jfmhc.20210704.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfmhc.20210704.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jfmhc.20210704.13},
      abstract = {Optimal breastfeeding, which involves initiating breastfeeding within one hour of birth, giving colostrum, exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and introducing complementary food at six months, prevents under-five deaths in developing countries, saving millions of lives annually. The maximum effect of prolactin and oxytocin on milk production is dependent on insulin, insulin-like growth factors, cortisol, and the intake of nutrients and fluids. Stress affects these factors and processes, reducing the quantity and quality of milk for the growth and health of the baby. The supportive or non-supportive role of male partners affects the mothers' physical and emotional states. The researchers administered a structured questionnaire of 13 close-ended questions through scheduled interviews with 275 male parents of children younger than two years. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28.0 analyzed the data to generate frequencies, median, and interquartile range as measures of dispersion and central tendency, respectively. Spearman's rank correlation test did the calculations of correlations. Fathers helped with house works, responding to the baby's cries and bathing the baby (86%); taking care of other children or other house responsibilities (85%); taking care of the baby while the mother sleeps for a bit of time (85%) and smiling, holding and watching the mother as she breastfeeds (91%). Roles were correlated with education level (r=.308, p=0.0000.05).},
     year = {2021}
    }
    

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    T1  - Roles and Associated Sociodemographic Correlates of Male Involvement in Breastfeeding in Juba, South Sudan
    AU  - Tobijo Denis Sokiri Moses
    AU  - Ebenezer Obi Daniel
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    AU  - Paul Olaiya Abiodun
    AU  - Israel Olukayode Popoola
    AU  - Adebanke Adetutu Ogun
    AU  - Christiana Asibi-Ogben Inegbeboh
    AU  - Michael Olabode Tomori
    AU  - Friday Iyobosa Igbinovia
    AU  - Oladapo Michael Olagbegi
    AU  - Gabriel Omoniyi Ayeni
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    DO  - 10.11648/j.jfmhc.20210704.13
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    JF  - Journal of Family Medicine and Health Care
    JO  - Journal of Family Medicine and Health Care
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    EP  - 104
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2469-8342
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jfmhc.20210704.13
    AB  - Optimal breastfeeding, which involves initiating breastfeeding within one hour of birth, giving colostrum, exclusive breastfeeding for six months, and introducing complementary food at six months, prevents under-five deaths in developing countries, saving millions of lives annually. The maximum effect of prolactin and oxytocin on milk production is dependent on insulin, insulin-like growth factors, cortisol, and the intake of nutrients and fluids. Stress affects these factors and processes, reducing the quantity and quality of milk for the growth and health of the baby. The supportive or non-supportive role of male partners affects the mothers' physical and emotional states. The researchers administered a structured questionnaire of 13 close-ended questions through scheduled interviews with 275 male parents of children younger than two years. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28.0 analyzed the data to generate frequencies, median, and interquartile range as measures of dispersion and central tendency, respectively. Spearman's rank correlation test did the calculations of correlations. Fathers helped with house works, responding to the baby's cries and bathing the baby (86%); taking care of other children or other house responsibilities (85%); taking care of the baby while the mother sleeps for a bit of time (85%) and smiling, holding and watching the mother as she breastfeeds (91%). Roles were correlated with education level (r=.308, p=0.0000.05).
    VL  - 7
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    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

  • Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

  • Department of Primary Health Care, National Ministry of Health, Juba, Republic of South Sudan

  • Department of Primary Health Care, National Ministry of Health, Juba, Republic of South Sudan

  • Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

  • Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

  • Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria

  • International Organization for Migration, Abuja, Nigeria

  • Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

  • Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

  • Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

  • South African National Bioinformatics Institute, University of the Western Cape, Western Cape, South Africa

  • Department of Public Health, Texila American University, Georgetown, Guyana

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