Factors associated with fathers' involvement in infant and young child feeding and nurturing care in the urban slums of Bangladesh: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) and nurturing care during the first years of children's lives are crucial for ensuring their growth and development. The IYCF and nurturing practices are associated with a multifaceted interplay of context‐specific factors where fathers' involvement is necessary. The aim of this study is to explore the current scenario of fathers' involvement in IYCF practices in the urban slums of Bangladesh. A cross‐sectional survey among the residents of the Sat Tola slum in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh was conducted. To avoid social desirability bias, 361 mothers of children aged <24 months were interviewed regarding fathers' involvement. An operational definition of father's involvement was developed based on 11 criteria and then scoring was applied to classify ‘Good Involvement’ and associated factors were identified using multivariable logistic regression. Fathers' mean age was around 31 (SD ± 6.09) years and the majority of them (44.32%) completed primary education. Fathers had diversified occupations such as day laborer (32.41%), garment worker (22.71%), and business (14.96%). Factors that were significantly associated with the father's involvement in IYCF practices include educational status (aOR = 3.98, 95% CI = 1.91, 8.26, p < .00) and theiroccupational status (aOR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.16, 0.70, p = .00). Fathers were more active for their first child (aOR: 1.99, 95% CI = 1.04, 3.79, p = .03). Having child in the age group of 14–20 months (aOR = 2.73, 95% CI = 1.32, 5.64, p = <.01) and wife in the age group of 21–30 years (aOR = 2.34, 95% CI = 1.20, 4.58, p = .01) were significantly associated. The study finding explored that fathers' education and occupation as well as mothers' age and education were significantly associated factors for fathers' involvement in the IYCF practices. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to establish the causal relationship between fathers' involvement with IYCF and their impact on child growth and development.

Determinants of food security status of household in west Gojjam zone, Ethiopia

“…These factors affect food security status positively and are also in line with the study of Pakravan‐Charvadeh et al ( 2021 ) who state that age is significantly associated with food security status. It also agrees with the findings of Bhattacharyya et al ( 2023 ) that describe that age is significantly associated with the father's involvement in the infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices (Table 4 ).…”

Fathers Nutrition Knowledge and Child Feeding Practices Associated with Childhood Overweight and Obesity: A Scoping Review of Literature From 2000 to 2023

“… 23 The relative father involvement in child feeding, in terms of food purchasing, menu decisions, feeding, controlling, among others, is attributed to societal norms, gender roles, urban residential status, and high educational status among others. 24 - 26 Also, mothers are more responsible for child feeding and care at early the early stages (from birth to 2 years) than fathers, as these are periods of breastfeeding and complementary feeding. 27…”