Abstract:
Introduction: Fathers involvement in child feeding refers to the positive influence father have
on child feeding habits, including financial and resource, social and physical support. While
previous research has focused on the role of mothers in infant and young child feeding
practices, the involvement of fathers in this area has been less studied.
Objective: To assess fathers’ involvement in child feeding and associated factors among
fathers having children aged 6 to 24 months in Ambo town, Ambo, Ethiopia, 2024
Methods: A community based cross-sectional study design with a concurrent quantitative and
qualitative research approach was employed from January 01 to March 01, 2024. Multistage
sampling technique was used to select 634 fathers who have child aged 6 to 24 months. A key
informant interview guide was used to collect qualitative data from purposively selected 17
key-informants. The quantitative data were entered into Epi-data 3.1 and exported to Statistical
Package for Social Sciences version 27 for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to
summarize descriptive data. Bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression was done.
Statistical significance was declared at p<0.05 and 95% confidence level. Qualitative data was
analyzed manually using thematic analysis and the result was triangulated with the quantitative
data.
Result: A total of 593 fathers of 6-24 months old children were included in the study, with a
response rate of 93.5%, Father’s involvement in child feeding was 54.1%, (95% C.I: 50.04%,
58.2%). Factors that were significantly associated with good fathers’ involvement in child
feeding include fathers with diploma and above AOR=3.418 (95%CI: 1.19, 9.83), fathers with
government and non-government/private employed AOR=3.75 (95%CI: 1.10, 12.76 and
AOR=3.65 (95%CI: 1.01, 13.19) respectively, participants spouse government and non government/private employed AOR=3.48 (95%CI: 1.6, 7.59) and AOR=2.61 (95%CI: 1.11,
6.16) respectively, positive attitude AOR=3.87 (95%CI: 2.23, 6.73), positively perceived
cultural practices AOR=2.312 (95% CI: 1.36, 3.94), good knowledge AOR=2.21, (95%CI:
1.298, 3.750). The barriers to father involvement in child feeding practices like attitude,
cultural practices in the community, and occupational status of both father and mother were
explored.
Conclusion: The study showed that only half of fathers was involved in their child’s feeding.
Positive attitude, positively perceived cultural practices in the community, good knowledge,
diploma and above educational status of the father and government and non-government/
private employed of both father and spouse significantly associated with good fathers’
involvement towards child feeding practice. Negatively perceived cultural practices in the
community and negative attitudes are main barriers. Programs need to be incorporated into the
health extension workers to encourage fathers to be involved in in child feeding.
