General parental education in Sweden: participants and non-participants.
OBJECTIVE
To study factors of importance for participation in parental education within routine child health care.


METHODS
All parents of children born during 1 year were invited by the district nurse to participate in parental education; their participation during the infant year was registered.


METHODS
Catchment area of two health centres in Växjö, Sweden.


METHODS
221 infants and their parents.


METHODS
Number of educational sessions for mothers and fathers.


RESULTS
63% of mothers and 20% of fathers attended at least one session. These mothers attended a mean of 5.7 (SD 2.2) sessions and these fathers a mean of 2.8 (SD 2.3) sessions. Logistic regression analyses showed that the only variable of significance for participation was being a first-time parent (odds ratio 3.9 for the mothers and 3.7 for the fathers). Odds ratios above 2.0 (non-significant) were found for married mothers and Swedish mothers, as well as for Swedish fathers.


CONCLUSIONS
It is still a considerable problem to get certain groups involved in routine parental education in Swedish child healthcare programmes.
Petersson
Christer
C
Kronoberg Unit for Research and Development, Växjö, Sweden.
Petersson
Kerstin
K
Håkansson
Anders
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education*; D013548:Sweden