Involvement of Father in Childcare: An Operational Study

Children represent the real wealth of the country. However, they are the most vulnerable group due to their young age and dependence on caregivers. Mothers are overburdened due to their employment and being in nuclear families. Fathers are the only persons to be involved and support the mothers in childcare. Hence, the study was undertaken with an objective to assess the current involvement of father in child care. To develop and operationalize the protocol for involvement of father in care of children up to two years of age residing in Daddu Majra Colony, UT Chandigarh. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institute Ethics Committee, PGIMER, Chandigarh. One hundred fathers of children below 2 years of age, willing to participate, were selected through Systematic random sampling. Every 5th house was surveyed to register the father of children below two years of age. The data was collected in the period of July-November 2017. The study was undertaken in 3 phases. In 1st phase involvement of father in childcare was assessed by using interview schedule. In 2nd phase protocol on involvement of father in childcare was developed and operationalized which included involvement of father in routine care (feeding, bathing, clothing, play, and nappy change), immunization and treatment seeking during sickness. Thereafter six follow ups were done by using interview schedule to assess their involvement in childcare and to motivate them to get involved in childcare. After 3 months of enrollment in 3rd phase involvement of father in childcare was assessed by interview schedule. Mothers were also interviewed separately to counter check the involvement of father in childcare.