A Study to Assess the Knowledge and Involvement in Child Rearing Practices among Fathers of Hospitalised Children of 1-6 Years of Age, in Kasturba Hospital, Manipal

Objective: To assess the knowledge and involvement in child rearing practices among fathers of hospitalised children of 1-6 years of age.

Materials and method: A descriptive correlational survey was done among conveniently selected 150 fathers of hospitalised children of 1-6 years of age at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. The knowledge and involvement in childrearing practices were assessed using a demographic proforma, knowledge questionnaire and involvement rating scale.

Result: The findings showed that fathers had satisfactory knowledge and satisfactory involvement in childrearing practices. However there was no relationship between knowledge and child rearing practices. The study also revealed that there was a significant association between knowledge and type of family ( p= 0.015ï) and that there was no association between involvement in childrearing practices and demographic variables.

Conclusion: The study concluded that there is no relationship between knowledge and involvement among fathers in child rearing practices and fathers had satisfactory knowledge and satisfactory involvement in childrearing practices.