CONNAISSANCES ET PERCEPTION DES PÈRES SUR L’ALLAITEMENT MATERNEL EXCLUSIF DANS LE DISTRICT SANITAIRE DE OUELESSEBOUGOU (MALI)

The rate of exclusive breastfeeding (AME) remains low in Mali (38 %). The objective of the study was to study fathers' knowledge and perceptions of exclusive breastfeeding for 0-6 months. A descriptive and qualitative cross-sectional study was conducted from 10 to 22 December 2012 in a health district in Mali and involved 712 fathers of children aged 0-59 months. The individual interview was used. We conducted descriptive analysis, content analysis of individual interviews. A majority of fathers (74.7 %) cited a good definition of MEA. There was a lack of knowledge about benefits and optimal age. Infant protection against certain diseases was the best known (77.7 %) and only 44.6% knew the optimal age of the MEA. Fathers had a good perception of MEA practice (85.6 %). Reported constraints from 94.5% of fathers interviewed: maternal illness (57.5 %), not enough milk (41.4 %), breast pain (18.8 %); 34.5% of fathers identified the spouse (32 %) the mother herself (32%), the mother-in-law (20.4 %), the health professionals (8.7 %) and the musokorobas / women seniors (7.3 %) as barriers to the practice of MEA. This study revealed gaps in fathers' knowledge. The fathers who have the power of decision had a good perception of the practice of AME. Fathers should be involved in advocacy for the promotion of the MEA by giving them more responsibility for the implementation of activities. Awareness must be coupled with training to provide quality information.Keywords: exclusive breastfeeding, father, knowledge, perception, Mali