The association of family functioning, parenting knowledge, parenting behaviors, and family characteristics with early child growth: a study in a rural community of Southern Thailand

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the association of family functioning (FF), parenting knowledge (PK), parenting behaviors (PBs), and family characteristics (FCs) with child growth. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in a community in Southern Thailand. Parents or childcare providers (CPs) who had cared for the children aged 2–6 years for ≥ 6 months were invited to join the study voluntarily. FF, PK, PBs, and FCs were evaluated. Their associations with child growth were assessed using multiple logistic regression, adjusting for all variables in the R program ( p 0.05). Results A total of 102 parents or CPs who consented to participate were enrolled. Low FF score (adjusted odds ratio (adj OR) = 5.11 (1.57,18.60), p = 0.006) and male caregivers (adj OR = 6.13 (0.88,47.80), p = 0.027) were significantly associated with unfavorable PBs. In the logistic regression model, inadequate PK (adj OR = 0.14 (0.02,0.71), p = 0.016), unfavorable PB (adj OR = 0.10 (0.01,0.72), p = 0.021), caregivers’ age (adj OR = 3.14 (0.52,22.70) 32–37 years; and (adj OR = 24.30 (2.73,37.7) 38–45 years, p = 0.001), and marital status (adj OR = 15.80 (2.13, 16.50), p = 0.006) were associated with height, while parental status (parent vs. non-parent) was associated with weight (adj OR = 0.43 (1.14, 29.4), p = 0.030). Conclusion Child growth was significantly affected by the integrative effects of parental and familial factors, not limited to FF.