Assessing male involvement in childcare and associated factors among fathers of below two in Toke Kutaye district, Central Ethiopia, 2024: a community-based cross-sectional study
BackgroundMale involvement in child care is increasingly acknowledged as a crucial factor for promoting positive health and developmental outcomes for children, particularly during the critical early years of life. In Ethiopia, low male participation in child-rearing exacerbates public health issues...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1527675/full |
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| author | Gemechu Ganfure Jiregna Darega Latera Debebe Kitila |
| author_facet | Gemechu Ganfure Jiregna Darega Latera Debebe Kitila |
| author_sort | Gemechu Ganfure |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundMale involvement in child care is increasingly acknowledged as a crucial factor for promoting positive health and developmental outcomes for children, particularly during the critical early years of life. In Ethiopia, low male participation in child-rearing exacerbates public health issues, including high neonatal and under-five mortality rates. This study examines the prevalence and factors associated with paternal involvement in child care among fathers of children under 2 years in Toke Kutaye District, Central Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 28 to February 16, 2024. A total of 605 fathers with children under 2 years were randomly selected for interviews. Data on male involvement in child care were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data were entered using Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed, applying adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) to assess statistical significance, with a p < 0.05. Descriptive statistics were also computed and presented using text, charts, and tables.ResultsThe study found that 36.7% of fathers exhibited good involvement in childcare practices. While a majority contributed financially (55.6%) and engaged in play (55.4%), significantly fewer fathers participated in essential caregiving activities like feeding (27.3%) or seeking healthcare during illness (17.1%). Multivariable analysis identified significant predictors of paternal involvement: completing secondary education (AOR = 5.24, 95% CI: 2.64–10.38), having male children (AOR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.094–2.62), first birth order (AOR = 5.66, 95% CI: 2.79–11.45), and fewer family size (AOR = 4.82, 95% CI: 2.58–9.016).ConclusionThis study underscores the limited yet essential role of fathers in child care within the Toke Kutaye District, revealing a need for targeted interventions to enhance paternal engagement. Promoting educational initiatives could serve as a strategy to foster deeper paternal participation in child-rearing practices, ultimately contributing to improved health and developmental outcomes for children. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0fca373e76ef4ce4afbc359585675636 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-0fca373e76ef4ce4afbc3595856756362025-08-20T02:47:37ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-03-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15276751527675Assessing male involvement in childcare and associated factors among fathers of below two in Toke Kutaye district, Central Ethiopia, 2024: a community-based cross-sectional studyGemechu Ganfure0Jiregna Darega1Latera Debebe Kitila2Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, Ambo University College of Medicine and Health Science, Ambo, EthiopiaDepartment of Public Health, Ambo University College of Medicine and Health Science, Ambo, EthiopiaDepartment Toke Kutaye District Health, Oromia Regional Health Bureau, Oromia, EthiopiaBackgroundMale involvement in child care is increasingly acknowledged as a crucial factor for promoting positive health and developmental outcomes for children, particularly during the critical early years of life. In Ethiopia, low male participation in child-rearing exacerbates public health issues, including high neonatal and under-five mortality rates. This study examines the prevalence and factors associated with paternal involvement in child care among fathers of children under 2 years in Toke Kutaye District, Central Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 28 to February 16, 2024. A total of 605 fathers with children under 2 years were randomly selected for interviews. Data on male involvement in child care were collected using a structured questionnaire. Data were entered using Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed, applying adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) to assess statistical significance, with a p < 0.05. Descriptive statistics were also computed and presented using text, charts, and tables.ResultsThe study found that 36.7% of fathers exhibited good involvement in childcare practices. While a majority contributed financially (55.6%) and engaged in play (55.4%), significantly fewer fathers participated in essential caregiving activities like feeding (27.3%) or seeking healthcare during illness (17.1%). Multivariable analysis identified significant predictors of paternal involvement: completing secondary education (AOR = 5.24, 95% CI: 2.64–10.38), having male children (AOR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.094–2.62), first birth order (AOR = 5.66, 95% CI: 2.79–11.45), and fewer family size (AOR = 4.82, 95% CI: 2.58–9.016).ConclusionThis study underscores the limited yet essential role of fathers in child care within the Toke Kutaye District, revealing a need for targeted interventions to enhance paternal engagement. Promoting educational initiatives could serve as a strategy to foster deeper paternal participation in child-rearing practices, ultimately contributing to improved health and developmental outcomes for children.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1527675/fullmale involvementchild careToke KutayeEthiopiafathers |
| spellingShingle | Gemechu Ganfure Jiregna Darega Latera Debebe Kitila Assessing male involvement in childcare and associated factors among fathers of below two in Toke Kutaye district, Central Ethiopia, 2024: a community-based cross-sectional study Frontiers in Public Health male involvement child care Toke Kutaye Ethiopia fathers |
| title | Assessing male involvement in childcare and associated factors among fathers of below two in Toke Kutaye district, Central Ethiopia, 2024: a community-based cross-sectional study |
| title_full | Assessing male involvement in childcare and associated factors among fathers of below two in Toke Kutaye district, Central Ethiopia, 2024: a community-based cross-sectional study |
| title_fullStr | Assessing male involvement in childcare and associated factors among fathers of below two in Toke Kutaye district, Central Ethiopia, 2024: a community-based cross-sectional study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing male involvement in childcare and associated factors among fathers of below two in Toke Kutaye district, Central Ethiopia, 2024: a community-based cross-sectional study |
| title_short | Assessing male involvement in childcare and associated factors among fathers of below two in Toke Kutaye district, Central Ethiopia, 2024: a community-based cross-sectional study |
| title_sort | assessing male involvement in childcare and associated factors among fathers of below two in toke kutaye district central ethiopia 2024 a community based cross sectional study |
| topic | male involvement child care Toke Kutaye Ethiopia fathers |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1527675/full |
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