Fathers and their children's health: a telephone interview study.

OBJECTIVE

To study fathers' perception of, and involvement in, their children's health.

DESIGN

Telephone interviews according to a structured guide.

SETTING

County of Skåne, Sweden.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Answers regarding care and upbringing of child, child's health and ill health, and role of father.

SUBJECTS

237 fathers of small children.

RESULTS

Fathers seem to be involved in their children to a large extent, both in caring and playing activities with their children. Most of them (82%) think that the child's health is good, and half of them (55%) have, at some time, contacted a doctor. The fathers mention security, love and commitment as important factors for being a good father, and almost all (97%) think that they are good fathers. Yet, only slightly more than half of them (54%) state that they have sufficient time for the child.

CONCLUSIONS

Today, fathers are subject to quite different expectations to participate actively in their children's everyday life than was the case for previous generations. Therefore, more studies of fathers' involvement in their children are needed, as well as a new approach within the health care system to fathers' participation.