Abstract:
Fathers' participation was assessed by questioning the mothers of these children using an
interviewer administered questionnaire. Degree of father’s participation regarding infant
feeding was assessed in five areas ; breastfeeding, buying complementary foods, baby's
food preparation, feeding and storage, baby's personal hygiene and baby's growth
monitoring. Mothers' level of satisfaction regarding husbands' participation in infant
feeding in above mentioned areas was also assessed by interviewing the mothers. Fathers
participation levels regarding infant feeding was at a good level ( 89.1 percent) moderate
and good) when helping the mother to breastfeed. Mothers' satisfaction level regarding
husbands' participation in areas of personal hygiene of the baby, food preparation, storage
and feeding and growth monitoring was significantly associated with fathers' ethnicity and
smoking . Non Sinhalese and smoking fathers' participation was found comparatively not
satisfied level than Sinhalese and non smoking fathers, programme planners need to
concentrate more on these areas when planning interventions to promote fathers'
participation regarding infant feeding
