FACTORS AFFECTING MALE-PARTNER PARTICIPATION IN POST-PARTUM CARE AND BREASTFEEDING PRACTICES OF OB WARD PATIENTS OF A PHILIPPINE PUBLIC HOSPITAL
Male-partner involvement in postpartum care and breastfeeding practices has a vital but frequently overlooked role in supporting women's care-related initiatives throughout the postnatal period. This paper determined factors affecting male-partner participation in post-partum care and breastfeeding practices. Data were collected using a survey involving 150 male partners of postpartum patients of the Ospital ng Palawan, Philippines. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that there are personal and interpersonal factors that are significantly and insignificantly associated with male partners’ involvement in postpartum care and breastfeeding practices. Specifically, while male partners’ educational backgrounds showed a significant association, age and the number of children posited no significant associations to their involvement in postpartum care and breastfeeding practices. A prospective study design may be further used by other researchers to systematically investigate the impact of educational background factors to provide more detailed and comprehensive information.
Male-Partner Involvement, Postpartum Care, Breastfeeding