Model of Husband’s Bonding Behaviour for the Success of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Rural Sumatra - 1 - Regular Article

Aug 22, 2026

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Exclusive breastfeeding depends not only on mothers but also on husbands whose bonding behaviour can determine whether breastfeeding goals are achieved. This qualitative study explored a husband bonding-behaviour model in rural Sumatra using semi-structured interviews and iterative multilevel coding. Four husband behaviours were identified—encouragement with affection, unstressing advice, sincere help, and responsibility. These behaviours were shaped by understanding the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and obedience to religious teachings, with support from health workers and religious leaders.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages12

Reading Time30 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding policy

Family and husband support

Bonding between mother, baby, and husband

Research aim

Materials and methods

Study setting and participants

Ethics and recruitment

Data collection

Model of Husband’s Bonding Behaviour for the Success of Exclusive Breastfeeding in Rural Sumatra Yunardi Yunardia, Mudjiran Mudjiranb, Masrul Masrulc, Nur Afrainin Syahd * a Department of Health Policy, Universitas Efarina, Pematang Siantar, Indonesia b Department of Instructional and Educational Psychology, Universitas Negeri Padang, Padang, Indonesia c Department of Nutrition, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia d Department of Medical Education, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia Abstract. The success of exclusive breastfeeding is not only a matter for the wife but also requires the involvement of the husband. Husbands have a very decisive role in the success of exclusive breastfeeding. This study aimed to explore the husband's bonding behaviour model towards the success of exclusive breastfeeding in rural communities of Sumatra Island. This study applied a qualitative study design. The informants were divided into three groups: support providers, support receivers, and expert informants. Data collection was conducted using semi-structured interviews. A multilevel coding strategy was applied for data analysis, consisting of meanings, categories, themes, and concepts. Data collection and analysis were conducted using an iterative process. The findings identified four husbands’ bonding behaviours for the success of exclusive breastfeeding. The behaviours are encouraging with affection, unstressing advice, helping sincerely, and being responsible. These behaviours are significantly influenced by the husbands’understanding of the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and their obedience to religious orders. The findings indicated that the success of breastfeeding is not only determined by maternal factors but also by paternal involvement. Husbands’ bonding behaviours could be improved by increasing knowledge about breastfeeding and religious beliefs. Thus, both health workers and religious leaders play an important role in the success of exclusive breastfeeding in rural Sumatra. Keywords: Exclusive breastfeeding; husband’s bonding behavior; eastern culture; Islamic teaching Type of the Paper: Regular Article 1. Introduction Breastfeeding is the best food for infants because of its nutritional content, enzymes, hormones, and immunological substances. WHO has recommended the golden standard of infant feeding, namely exclusive breastfeeding, from the first day of birth to the age of six months. Exclusive breastfeeding has a significant impact on reducing under-five mortality rates by 13% compared to other public health interventions. Efforts for increasing exclusive breastfeeding practice in Indonesia have been carried out for a long time, supported by several government policies, but the rate of exclusive breastfeeding has not yet reached the WHO minimum target of 50%. [1] The exclusive breastfeeding policy and practice implemented were not comprehensive. Interventions on exclusive breastfeeding were only focused on breastfeeding mothers. [2] Family support greatly determines the behavior of mothers in giving exclusive breastfeeding to their babies. Support from husbands to maximize exclusive breastfeeding is important because the husband is the closest family member to the mother. [3] Husbands have a very decisive role in the success of breastfeeding because their positive and active supports increase self-efficacy and ability to breastfeed of breastfeeding mothers. Support provided by the husband was proven to bea strong predictor of maternal confidence to keep breastfeeding. Hence, maternal confidence was not associated with their previous breastfeeding experiences and the age of their babies. [4] In addition, educational interventions on breastfeeding for the husbands were effective to increase the success rate of exclusive breastfeeding. [5] The active support provided by the husband will construct a bonding between mother, baby and husband. Thus, bonding in breastfeeding activities is not only a rel

FAQs

What was the purpose of this qualitative study?

The study aimed to explore a model of husbands’ bonding behaviours that supports the success of exclusive breastfeeding in rural Sumatra communities.

How were data collected and analyzed?

Semi-structured interviews were used, followed by iterative analysis with multilevel coding through meanings, categories, themes, and concepts.

What four husband bonding behaviours were identified?

The study identified encouraging with affection, unstressing advice, helping sincerely, and being responsible.

What factors influenced husbands’ bonding behaviours?

Husbands’ understanding of the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding and their obedience to religious orders significantly influenced these behaviours.

Aug 22, 2026

Upload by Oliver