Views on spousal support during delivery: a Turkey experience

The validity and reliability study of the first-time fathers questionnaire in Turkish

The father's participation in the birth contributes significantly to the mother's birth experiences as well as to the fatherhood process. Since fathers have traditionally not been allowed to attend childbirth in Turkish public hospitals, which now is changing, there is a lack of research in this area. To remedy this shortcoming, a questionnaire that explores the Turkish fathers' experiences of childbirth is needed. The study aims to translate, validate, and adapt the pre-existing First-Time Fathers' Questionnaire to the Turkish language and culture. In the first stage of the study, the questionnaire was translated to Turkish. Expert opinions of the First Time Father Questionnaire were taken, and the content validity was checked. The revised questionnaire was then completed by 110 fathers. The average age of the fathers participating in the study was 32.12 ± 6.8 and 80 % of them were found to be middle class. The construct validity of the questionnaire was tested with explanatory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, finally a test-retest was performed. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for each dimension of the 20-items questionnaire was as follows: knowledge = 0.90, acceptance = 0.90, anxiety = 0.88, and emotional support = 0.66. All sub-dimensions correspond to 68.5 % of the total variance. The confirmatory factor analysis model showed consistency for the data (X2/DF = 1.078; RMSA = 0.027; CFI = 0.992; GFI = 0.900; AGFI.0.829). Therefore, the adaptation of the First Time Fathers Questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument in evaluating the childbirth experiences of first-time fathers in Turkish culture.

Effects of spousal support in the early postpartum period on breastfeeding motivation in patriarchal societies

Background and Purpose: Breastfeeding is important with regard to public health. Our aim was to examine effects of spousal support in the early postpartum period on breastfeeding motivation in patriarchal societies. Methods: Study was descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational design. Study was conducted in a University Hospital in Inland Anatolia Region in Turkey. It included primiparous and multiparous women. Results: Analysis showed a significant positive, moderate relation between spousal support and breastfeeding motivation in the primiparous women; spousal support accounted for 23.8% of breastfeeding motivation of the women. There was a significant, positive weak relation between spousal support and breastfeeding motivation in the multiparous women; spousal support explained 8.2% of breastfeeding motivation in these women. Conclusion: Spousal support in the early postpartum period was found to have a positive influence on improvement of breastfeeding motivation. However, it could explain a small percentage of breastfeeding motivation. New strategies should be created to encourage spouses to get involved in breastfeeding.

Prevalence and determinants of mother and newborn skin-to-skin contact in The Gambia: a secondary data analysis

BACKGROUND

Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) between mother and the newborn brings many benefits including its potential to promote the survival of the newborn. Nevertheless, it is a practice that is underutilized in many resource-constrained settings including The Gambia where a high rate of maternal and child mortality has been reported. In this study, we examined the prevalence and determinants of mother and newborn SSC in The Gambia.

METHODS

We used secondary data from The Gambia Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS)-2018. Data from 9205 women between 15-49 years who gave birth within 5 years of the survey was extracted for the analysis. Percentages and chi-square test were used for analyses. The significant variables from chi-square test were included in the multivariable binary logistic regression model to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (with corresponding 95% CI) of the factors associated with mother and newborn SSC.

RESULTS

The results of this study showed that the national prevalence of mother and newborn SSC was 35.7%. Across local government areas; Mansakonko (47.8%) and Kerewan (44.2%) had the highest prevalence, while Basse (28.5%) and Brikama (26.5%) had the least prevalence of mother and newborn SSC in The Gambia. Based on results from the logit model, normal weight (at least 2.5 kg) children were 1.37 times as likely to have mother and newborn SSC, compared with the low birthweight (< 2.5 kg) children (OR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.78). In addition, there was 38% increase in the odds of rural women who reported mother and newborn SSC, compared with urban women (OR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.79). Women who delivered at health facility were 3.35 times as likely to have mother and newborn SSC, compared with women who delivered at home (OR = 3.35; 95% CI: 2.37, 4.75). Furthermore, women who initiated antenatal care (ANC) after the first trimester had 21% reduction in the odds of mother and newborn SSC, compared with women who initiated ANC within the first trimester (OR = 0.79; 95% CI: 0.68, 0.93).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of mother and newborn SSC was low. In addition, geographical residence, birth weight, urban-rural residential status, place of delivery, and timing to ANC initiation were associated with mother and newborn SSC. There is a need to promote institutional based delivery using skilled birth attendance, promote early ANC initiation and healthy fetal growth.