Barriers to engaging fathers in supporting exclusive breastfeeding by HIV positive mothers in Temeke, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Background/Aims The low rate of exclusive breastfeeding among mothers living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been attributed to limited spousal support, and evidence shows that support from a male partner has a positive influence on HIV positive mothers' adherence to exclusive breastfeeding. There is a lack of research data on fathers' experiences of barriers to supporting their HIV-positive partners with exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months. This paper reports the results of a study that aimed to explore barriers to fathers' engagement in supporting exclusive breastfeeding by HIV-positive mothers in an urban setting in Tanzania. Methods A qualitative case study design was used in Temeke Municipal Council, at clinics for the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV in four public health facilities. Purposive sampling was used to select 30 participants who took part in in-depth interviews. Data were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated from Kiswahili to English before being thematically analysed. Results Barriers to fathers' engagement in supporting exclusive breastfeeding included unstable income, inconvenient clinic hours, gender stereotypes, less emphasis on postpartum male involvement in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and stringent work regulations that provide very limited paternity leave. Conclusions This study has generated some insight into the main barriers to fathers' engagement in supporting exclusive breastfeeding among mothers with HIV. This knowledge can be applied to strengthen the role of fathers in prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.