Table 4 Comparison of fathers’ and mothers’ knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding
Variables | Mothers Frequency (%) | Fathers Frequency (%) |
|---|---|---|
First food for the newborn is breastmilk | 125 (97.7) | 126 (98.4) |
Exclusive breastfeeding is giving the child breastmilk for the first 6 months | 78 (60.9) | 81 (63.3) |
Babies should take only breastmilk for the first 6 months of their life | 101 (78.9) | 105 (82) |
Breastmilk only is sufficient for the baby’s first 6 months of life | 64 (50) | 48 (37) |
The baby should be breastfed on demand | 22 (17.2) | 32 (25) |
Has knowledge on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding to the baby | 117 (91.4) | 118 (92.2) |
Exclusive breastfeeding is beneficial to the mother | 48 (37.5) | 53 (41.4) |
Breastmilk supply can be sustained by having good nutrition/eating well | 117 (91.4) | 107 (83.6) |
In times of absence the baby can continue to be exclusively breastfed by expressing breastmilk and storing | 44 (34.4) | 51 (39.8) |
Health personnel can assist in overcoming breastfeeding difficulties | 71 (55.5) | 61 (47.7) |
Knowledge category indicative of urgent interventiona Good score (> 70%) | 17 (13.3) | 25 (19.5) |