Men matter: a cross-sectional exploration of the forgotten fathers of children born to adolescent mothers in South Africa

Analyses provide the first preliminary description of the fathers of children born to adolescent mothers affected by HIV in South Africa. Fathers are inherently tied to the experiences of adolescent mothers and their children. Father involvement with their children was low. Further research is required to explore the potential barriers to father involvement and pathways to overcome these. Efforts to bolster father engagement, such as the inclusion of fathers within maternal and child service provision, may have benefits for fathers, adolescent mothers and their children. There was a high prevalence of adolescent fatherhood in the study. Adolescent fathers may have specific needs requiring tailored intervention for adolescent parent families. The need for the inclusion of fathers within policy, programming and research remains.

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Publication Details

Journal
BMJ Open
Published
2025-07-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-092723
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
5.63

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article

Men matter: a cross-sectional exploration of the forgotten fathers of children born to adolescent mothers in South Africa

Colette Smith, Kathryn J. Roberts, Angelique Thomas, Lorraine Sherr et al.
2 citations
BMJ Open
Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
5.63
article

Men matter: a cross-sectional exploration of the forgotten fathers of children born to adolescent mothers in South Africa

Colette Smith, Kathryn J. Roberts, Angelique Thomas, Lorraine Sherr, Jane Kelly, Lucie Dale Cluver, Janke Tolmay, Marguerite Marlow, Elona Toska
article en
2 citations

Abstract

Analyses provide the first preliminary description of the fathers of children born to adolescent mothers affected by HIV in South Africa. Fathers are inherently tied to the experiences of adolescent mothers and their children. Father involvement with their children was low. Further research is required to explore the potential barriers to father involvement and pathways to overcome these. Efforts to bolster father engagement, such as the inclusion of fathers within maternal and child service provision, may have benefits for fathers, adolescent mothers and their children. There was a high prevalence of adolescent fatherhood in the study. Adolescent fathers may have specific needs requiring tailored intervention for adolescent parent families. The need for the inclusion of fathers within policy, programming and research remains.

BMJ OpenVol. 15(7)
University of Cape Town (ZA), Oxford Policy Management (GB), Stellenbosch University (ZA), University of Oxford (GB), University College London (GB)
Oak Foundation, UNICEF, UK Research and Innovation, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Leverhulme Trust, European Commission, International AIDS Society, National Institutes of Health, Medical Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 5%
Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
5.63
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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