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Table 1 Sample characteristics

From: Childrens physical activity and screen time: qualitative comparison of views of parents of infants and preschool children

 

Parents of infants

Parents of preschoolers

Characteristic

N (%)

N (%)

Child

  

Female gender

29 (48)

21 (58) ††

Age in months [m (range)]

5 (2–11)

58 (48–66)††

Only child (no siblings)

61 (100)

5 (14)

Parent in focus group*

  

Female gender

61 (100)

34 (94)

Age in years [m (range)]

32 (21–38)

38 (28–71)

Highest level of education:

  

  Some high school

2 (3)

7 (19)

  Completed high school

10 (16)

10 (28)

  Trade certificate/apprenticeship

9 (15)

7 (19)

  University degree

40 (66)

12 (33)

Employment status:

  

  In paid employment

10 (16)

12 (33)

  On maternity leave

43 (71)

4 (11)

  Home duties

8 (13)

17 (47)

  Student/unemployed

0

3 (8)

Hours of paid employment per week**[m (range)]

26 (8–45)

19 (2–52)

Married/de facto relationship

60 (98)

31 (89)

English is main language spoken at home

60 (98)

30 (83)

Born in Australia

54 (89)

27 (75)

Family has a health care card

5 (8)

12 (33)

Partner

  

Age in years [m (range)]

34 (23–43)

41 (28–72)

Born in Australia

50 (83)

22 (69)

Highest level of education:

  

  Some high school

4 (7)

0

  Completed high school

12 (20)

5 (16)

  Trade certificate/apprenticeship

11 (18)

14 (44)

  University degree

33 (55)

13 (41)

Partner in paid employment

55 (100)

30 (97)

  1. * Note: includes one grandparent in the preschooler group.
  2. **n = 9 for parents of infants for this question; n=12 for parents of preschoolers.
  3. Health care cards are provided by the Federal Government to low-income earners who pass a means-test. They allow access to subsidised health care, public transport, utilities and car registration.
  4. †† Where participants had more than one child attending the preschool, the eldest child′s age and gender are included here.