Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton says research suggests that one in four Jamaican children is reportedly being assigned to the wrong father.

The issue of paternity uncertainty or “jackets” was raised by the Minister during his Sectoral Debate presentation in Parliament on Tuesday.

Dr. Tufton highlighted that the social dynamic is compounding Jamaica’s low fertility rate problem, amidst growing concern over the country’s declining birth rate and its wider socio-economic implications.

He said paternity uncertainty is also contributing to challenges surrounding family formation and decisions about having and raising children.