Breastfeeding empowerment among mothers plays a critical role in improving neonatal health outcomes and ensuring sustained breastfeeding practices. Increasing attention has been given to the role of fathers in this process, particularly their attitudes and self-efficacy in supporting breastfeeding. This study aimed to assess paternal attitudes and self-efficacy regarding breastfeeding support and to investigate their associations with maternal breastfeeding empowerment. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 involving 242 couples attending urban health centers in Tabriz, Iran. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires assessing paternal attitudes, paternal self-efficacy in supporting breastfeeding, and maternal breastfeeding empowerment. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize sample characteristics. Pearson correlation was employed to examine bivariate associations, and a general linear model (GLM) was applied to identify predictors of breastfeeding empowerment. The mean (± SD) breastfeeding empowerment score among mothers was 98.42 ± 15.37, while the mean paternal self-efficacy score was 52.64 ± 7.89. Most fathers (64.9%) exhibited neutral attitudes toward breastfeeding. The GLM analysis revealed that paternal self-efficacy was a significant positive predictor of maternal breastfeeding empowerment (B = 0.251, 95% CI: 0.050 to 0.452, p = 0.015). Other significant predictors included attending breastfeeding education classes (B = - 3.956, 95% CI: -7.504 to - 0.409, p = 0.029), maternal education at the elementary level (B = - 7.796, 95% CI: -15.352 to - 0.240, p = 0.043), maternal occupation as a housewife (B = 7.141, 95% CI: 0.670 to 13.612, p = 0.031), and history of abortion (B = 3.340, 95% CI: 0.332 to 6.347, p = 0.030). Paternal attitudes were not significantly associated with maternal breastfeeding empowerment (p = 0.703). Paternal self-efficacy in breastfeeding support is a significant determinant of maternal breastfeeding empowerment. Targeted interventions that enhance paternal self-efficacy during prenatal and postpartum care may contribute to improving breastfeeding outcomes. Involving fathers in breastfeeding promotion programs is essential for fostering supportive family environments.
Hergholi et al. (Thu,) studied this question.