Male involvement in infant and young child care and associated factors,among fathers of under two childrenin arsi nagele district, south Ethiopia, 2018

Abstract

Background Male involvement in infant and young child care is participation of male in home based activities regarding infant and young child cares like feeding, diapering, changing clothes, playing, holding, bathing and etc. It has been described as a process of social and behavioral change that is needed for men to play in infant and child care with the purpose of children`s wellbeing. However little has been explored about level of male involvement and associated factors in the study area. Objectives the main objective of the study is to assess male partners involvement and its associated factors in infant and young child care among fathers who have children less than two year of age in Arsi Negele Woreda, west Arsi zone Ethiopia, 2018 Methods Community based cross sectional study design was conducted on a sample of 408 male partners‟ that has children less than two year of age. The study subject was selected using simple random sampling method. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess relation between many independent variables with outcome variable t Significance level of P<0.05 and association of variable was tested by using 95% confidence interval (C.I) and adjusted odd ratio. Two Focus group discussions were conducted to explore cultural norms maternal perceptions about male involvement and thematic analysis was used. Result. Out Of 408 study Participants‟, 160 (39.2%) of male partners were involved in infant and young child care. Male partners who had poor attitude were 5.8%times less likely involved in infant and young child care when compared to male partners who had good attitude AOR 0.058 (95%CI, 0.031, 0.1). Male partner who have a number of children less than five were 7.362 times involved in infant and young child care than those who have five and above AOR 7.362(95%CI=3.717, 14.581). Male partners who had educational level of high school and above were 5.603 times more likely to involve in infant and young child care as compared to blow high school level AOR 5.603 (95%CI=3.048, 10.297). Conclusion and recommendation: Male partner’s involvement in infant and young child care was low. Educational level, number of children, and paternal attitude were the contributing factors for low involvement. In addition cultural norms and maternal perception affect male involvement in infant and young child care. To improve male partner involvement, policy makers and different stake holders has to adopt strategies/programs to promote male involvement, promote education, on importance of male involvement in infant and young child care