Table 4.

Thematic presentation of the barriers to fathers’ involvement in the care of preterm babies admitted in the NU at KNRH

SEM level	Themes	Subthemes
Individual	Baby related factors	• Fear of preterm babies by fathers
	Father related factors	• Financial constraints • Busy work schedules of fathers • Lack of responsibility • Uncertainty of paternity • Fear to be tested for HIV
Interpersonal	Friends and family related factors	• Discouragement by peers • Poor relationship between couples
Organizational /health facility level	Health facility factors	• Poor attitude of hospital staff • Fear of high hospital bills and expenditure. • Visiting restrictions • Long hospital stays and long waiting hours
Community/societal level	Cultural beliefs and practices	• Inhibiting interaction between father and mother in law. • Unfulfilled cultural expectations