Father's involvement and child development outcomes in a rural area of Vietnam

Statement of problem. The role of mother as caregiver and its influences on health and survival of children has been widely studied. Reports in the literature suggest that positive paternal involvement in woman care and child care is correlated with the positive developmental status of children. The current study was designed to identify which factors are associated with fathers' involvement in housework, and in child care. Furthermore, the research sought to identify associations between specific aspects of fathers' involvement and nutritional status and development of children.; Methods. This was a cross-sectional study based on a random sample of 547 children less than three years of age and their biological parents from intact families. The main outcome variables were child nutritional and developmental status. Predictor variables represented two domains of father's involvement. Other independent/control variables included factors related to the household, parent and child. Multivariable linear modeling and multivariable logistic regression modeling were conducted using a combination of stepwise and hierarchical approaches in data analysis.; Result. Results from the analyses indicated that fathers having a later born child were about 6 times more likely to be involved in housework. Fathers who express positive attitudes toward involvement in housework were 2.61 times more likely to be involved in housework. Early paternal involvement, urban residence and high economic status of the household were associated with father's involvement in daily child care. Fathers who were involved early in the child's life were about 1.9 times more likely to be involved in sleeping with children and about 3 times more likely to bring the child to medical facilities for immunizations. Children whose fathers did not bring them to the medical facilities for immunizations were about 1.7 times more likely to be malnourished. Children who did not sleep with their fathers are about 1.5 times more likely to be categorized as having suspected developmental delay.; Conclusion. The involvement of fathers may strengthen the contributions women can make to the health and development of their children. Early involvement of fathers and paternal involvement in bringing the children for immunizations should be encouraged by health care providers.