https://doi.org/10.4081/itjm.2025.1861
Exploring the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding among postpartum women in northeastern Morocco: fathers’ knowledge as a moderating factor
Published: 27 January 2025
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All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
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Breast milk is the exclusive source of nutrition required for optimal growth and development during the first 6 months of life. It confers many advantages for the health of both mother and child, as well as for the general well-being of society. Several factors, including the father’s level of breastfeeding knowledge, influence the decision to breastfeed. This descriptive cross-sectional study aimed to examine the extent of fathers’ knowledge about breastfeeding and the factors that influence it. A total of 200 men completed a structured questionnaire in the maternity ward of the Ibn Baja hospital in Taza, northeast Morocco. The results of this study indicate that 89% of fathers exhibited limited knowledge of breastfeeding. Moreover, a significant correlation was observed between the fathers’ knowledge of breastfeeding and a range of socio-demographic, cultural, and familial factors and their personal experiences. Implementing targeted interventions to enhance fathers’ knowledge is of utmost importance, considering factors specific to the Moroccan context.
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How to Cite
Faraj, K., & Bour, A. (2025). Exploring the determinants of exclusive breastfeeding among postpartum women in northeastern Morocco: fathers’ knowledge as a moderating factor. Italian Journal of Medicine, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/itjm.2025.1861
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