Abstract:
Studies have shown that partners play an influential role in exclusive breastfeeding practice
and that they can act as either deterrents or supporters to breastfeeding. However, there
are limited studies on the influence of partners’ characteristics on exclusive breastfeeding in
Ghana. This study examined the association between partners’ characteristics and exclusive breastfeeding in Ghana.
This cross-sectional study used data from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Infants less than 6 months old (exclusively breastfed or not) with maternal and paternal
characteristics were included in the study. A total of 180 participants were used for the
study. A binary logistic regression was used to examine the influence of partners’ characteristics on exclusive breastfeeding.
Partners’ characteristics such as education, desire for children, religion, and children ever
born were associated with exclusive breastfeeding. Mothers whose partners had primary
education (AOR = 0.12; CI 95%: 0.02–0.93; p = 0.04) were less likely to practice exclusive
breastfeeding compared to those whose partners had no formal education. Also, mothers
whose partners desired more children (AOR = 0.20; CI 95%: 0.06–0.70; p = 0.01) were less
likely to practice exclusive breastfeeding compared to those whose partners desire fewer
children.
Improving EBF requires the involvement of partners in exclusive breastfeeding campaigns/
programmes. A more couple-oriented approach is required by health practitioners to educate and counsel both mothers and partners on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding in Ghana
