Father involvement, maternal depression and child nutritional outcomes in Soweto, South Africa

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15535541
AutoresRoisin E Drysdale (0000-0003-0409-9549, University of the Witwatersrand, autor de correspondencia), Wiedaad Slemming (0000-0002-1566-8228, University of the Witwatersrand), Tawanda Makusha (0000-0003-2120-8989, University of the Witwatersrand), L M Richter (0000-0002-3654-3192, University of the Witwatersrand)
Año2021
Volumen17
NúmeroS1
Páginase13177-e13177
Fecha de publicación2021-07-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaMaternal and Child Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1740-8695 • E-ISSN: 1740-8709
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/mcn.13177
PMID34241955
OpenAlexW3177600705
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas19
Referencias citadas63

Father involvement in South Africa is low, despite evidence that it can improve maternal and child health and wellbeing. Within a larger randomised controlled trial, we assessed whether father involvement during and after pregnancy increased birth weight and exclusive breastfeeding through improved maternal mental health. At 6-week postnatal, mothers completed questionnaires on birth, feeding practices, social support, father involvement and postnatal depression. Father involvement during pregnancy was measured by their attendance at antenatal care and the study intervention, whereas postnatal involvement was measured by attendance at antenatal care and type of paternal support provided. Structural equation modelling was used to identify associations between father involvement, maternal depression, low birth weight and exclusive breastfeeding. Among the 212 mother-baby pairs, father involvement was very low with only 43%, 33% and 1% of partners attending early ultrasound, antenatal care and the birth of the child, respectively. Twenty-nine percent of the mothers showed signs of depression during pregnancy, compared with 7% after birth. Eighteen percent of the infants were born low birth weight, and 57% of mothers reported exclusively breastfeeding at 6 weeks. Father involvement was directly associated with postnatal depression, but it did not directly or indirectly impact exclusive breastfeeding or low birth weight. We conclude that postnatal father involvement can improve postnatal maternal depression and that men would benefit from specific guidance on how they can support mothers during and after pregnancy

Attendance · Birth weight · Breastfeeding · Depression (economics · Low birth weight · Obstetrics · Postnatal Care · Pregnancy · Social support · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Breastfeeding Practices and Influences · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Psychology · Pediatrics