European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: Father and mother as they are regarded as the primary care providers. Father has important role in
child health such as companion, care provider, protector moral guide, teacher, bread earner. Ultimately, the
family will be responsible for shaping a child and developing their values, skills, socialization, and security.
However, there is emerging evidence on the positive outcomes for child nutrition and development of expanding
father’s involvement beyond their traditional roles. Thus, this study explored the knowledge, attitude, and
practices of father’s and mother’s involvement in child care.
Methods: A cross-sectional, community based study was carried out among 400 under five children in field
practice area of rural health training center of Dept. of Community Medicine of Govt. Medical College,
Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India during the period of Jan. 2017 to Dec. 2018. Data was entered in MS Excel
2007 worksheet and analyzed using open Epi version 3.01.
Results: Majority 133(66.50%) of father in urban area think that the father role is important in child health care.
47(23.50%) of father of under five children residing in rural area think that the child health care is the
responsibility of mother only. However 40(20%) of father in rural area think that the father role is also important
in child health care. Father primarily see themselves as providers, not caretakers, a perception widely held by the
larger community as well.
Conclusion: Quite significant proportion of fathers had knowledge about child health and practices of taking
care of child was found but proportionately higher percentage of knowledge and practices were found in
females.