Abstract
Despite the growing recognition of the benefits of fathers’ involvement in health and nutrition, getting fathers to participate actively is hindered by varied socio-cultural practices and beliefs especially in northern Ghana. This study aimed at assessing the socio-cultural barriers and enablers of fathers’ participation in child health and nutrition. The design of the study was a convergent parallel mixed cross-sectional study. The quantitative aspect of the study included 250 mothers who were randomly selected. For the qualitative component, four (4) focus group discussions (FGDS) and twelve (12) key informant interviews were conducted. The involvement of fathers was measured under three dimensions: child nutrition decision-making, physical assistance for lactating mothers and provision of financial assistance. The study shows that the overall level of father’s involvement in childcare was very low at a prevalence of 2.8%. However, out of the 250 fathers, only 0.4% were involved in final decision making on EBF, 1.2% were involved in decision making in CF, 23.2% were involved in physical support to mothers and 33.2% were involved in financial support to mothers. Cultural beliefs, occupation of fathers, stigmatization and poverty were barriers to fathers’ involvement in childcare. Father’s recognition of perceived advantages of involvement in childcare and advocacy were the main enablers of men’s involvement in childcare. Paternal involvement in childcare was very low. Nutrition and health authorities in the district may have to design SBC strategies to demystify cultural beliefs that may hinder paternal involvement in childcare.
Keywords: Child Health, Child Nutrition, Paternal Involvement, Sociocultural Barriers, Sociocultural Enablers.