CONTRIBUTION OF MALE INVOLVEMENT IN CHILD CARE TO DIETARY INTAKE AND GROWTH OF CHILDREN 6 – 23 MONTHS IN JIRAPA MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

Suboptimal complementary feeding practices contribute to stunted growth in many countries,including Ghana. Effective strategies, including engaging men, especially fathers, in complementary feeding practices are needed. Although fathers have a critical role in providing support to improve child nutrition, there are few studies on male involvement in nutrition and feeding practices. Therefore, this study assessed the level of male involvement in child feeding and its association with the dietary intake and nutritional status of children 6-23 months of age in the Jirapa Municipality.A community-based analytical cross-sectional study that employed both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods was used on male partners with children aged 6-23 months in Jirapa municipality. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select a sample size of 392 father-child pairs. A structured interview questionnaire with both close and open-ended questions was used. The data were analysed using SPSS version 22 and WHO Anthro version 3.2.2.1 (analyse the anthropometric data). The study showed that the level of involvement of the male parents in their children’s care was generally high among the majority (63%) of fathers. In multivariable binary logistic regression analysis, factors such as income status [AOR = 1.80 (95% CI: 1.13–2.88)], nutrition-related knowledge [AOR = 2.41 (95% CI: 1.53–3.79)], and nutrition-related attitude [AOR = 2.33 (95% CI: 1.48–3.68] were found to influence fathers’ participation in the care and feeding of their children. A unit increase in the age of the father was associated with 5% less involvement in childcare and feeding activities (AOR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92–0.98). Fathers’ involvement in childcare activities was not associated with the timely introduction of complementary foods, although it was significantly associated with minimum dietary diversity (COR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.06, 2.40) and minimum acceptable diet (COR = 1.90; 95% CI: 1.25, 2.89). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, which controlled for potential confounding factors, high father involvement (at least median score) in childcare and feeding activities remained a significant independent predictor of minimum acceptable diet (MAD) [AOR 1.60; 95% CI (1.04 – 2.47)] compared to low father’s involvement (less than median score). Children whose fathers had a positive attitude towards childcare were 2.0 times more likely to be fed with MAD [AOR = 2.05 (95% CI: 1.35 - 3.14)]than their counterparts whose fathers’ attitudes were poor. Male partner involvement in child feeding activities was not associated with the nutritional status or growth of children aged 6-23 months. It can be concluded that the level of male partner involvement in the care of their children 6-23 months was high in the Jirapa municipality. The involvement of the male partners in their children’s care was significantly associated with the dietary intake of children 6 – 23 months, but this involvement was not associated with their growth or nutritional status.