Effect of the Virtual Infant Care Program on the Dimensions of Father Participation

Father's participation is a broad, active and positive participation in the child's life and has three dimensions. The impact of father interaction is independent of the mothers' share, and the value of the father's love and affection in the child's health is as great as the mother's. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of infant care virtual education program on the dimensions of father participation.

This quasi-experimental study was performed on 83 participants. The fathers of the intervention group were trained by Soroush messenger at the same time as the child grew up. At four times, at the end of days 3 to 5 after birth, and 2, 4, 6 months after birth, the questionnaire on the degree of father's participation in the care of the infant was completed by the mother. Data were compared with repeated measures analysis of variance.

The results showed that the two groups were homogeneous at 3 to 5 days (before the intervention). However, the scores of direct interaction between child and father and access dimension, at two months, four months, and six months, and responsibility and funding at four months and six months in the intervention group were higher than the control group (p <001).

Considering the current widespread use of virtual networks and its impact on people's lives and the important role of the father in the growth and development of the child, it is recommended to use this useful and cost-effective method to educate fathers and even mothers to increase public health.