Correlations between family characteristics and childcare in optimizing the growth of children under six years.

BACKGROUND

Families have a the primary influence on children. In particular, excellent childcare in the family is assumed to correlate with children's health status, growth, and development. Hence, some family factors contribute to the optimization of childcare. This study aims to analyze family characteristics that correlate with childcare for children under six in Indonesia.

METHODS

The data collection instrument used was a Performance and Accountability Survey Program (SKAP) questionnaire of the National Population and Family Planning Board for Indonesia to assess family function in children's health development in a sample of 7,651 parents, mothers, and/or fathers of children under six years of age. Childcare was the outcome variable. In addition, the chi-square test and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The results showed a significant correlation between parents' education, family health insurance ownership, number of toddlers, preschool age children and media exposure to health with family parenting patterns that influence children's health. Meanwhile, parental age and parents occupation did not significantly contribute to childcare quality. Multivariate analysis showed that older age (particularly 20-34 years), exposure to media about health, family without health insurance, and parents with more than two toddlers and pre-school age were associated with better childcare.

CONCLUSIONS

Several family characteristics were significantly associated with childcare for children under six, including health media exposure, older parental age (particularly 20-34 years), do not have family health insurance and have more than two toddlers and pre-school age children. These things contribute to the fulfilment of nutrition and exclusive breastfeeding, parenting patterns, and providing access to health services for children in the family.

ETHICS APPLICATION NUMBER

The data were approved by the National Population and Family Planning Board for Indonesia Ethical Review Institutions number 454/LB.02/H4/2019.