Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Version of the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale in Fathers.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Research gaps exist with regard to paternal attitudes towards breastfeeding and the association between fathers' attitudes and the type of breastfeeding. RESEARCH AIMS: (1) To analyze the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale in fathers, and (2) to examine the association between fathers' attitudes and type of breastfeeding. METHOD: We used a cross-sectional study design to analyze the scale's psychometric properties and performance. RESULTS: A total of 639 fathers participated in the study. The mean age was 35.83 years (SD = 4.65) and 67.3% (n = 430) were married or in a civil partnership. We observed an adequate fit in the confirmatory factor analysis: TLI = 0.96, CFI = 0.97 and RMSEA = 0.05. The overall internal consistency was 0.76. Between 1-6 months, 48% (n = 307) of participants' babies were exclusively breastfed, 35.2% (n = 225) were partially breastfed, and 16.7% (n = 107) were exclusively formula fed. Statistically significant differences were shown in attitudes towards breastfeeding, depending on the type of breastfeeding, between 1 and 6 months (F = 54.67; p < .001). Fathers who reported that their baby had been exclusively breastfed scored higher on attitudes towards breastfeeding. Statistically significant differences were also found between partial breastfeeding and formula feeding. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish version of the Iowa Infant Feeding Attitude Scale is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring paternal attitudes towards breastfeeding.