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The indirect effect of condition on each outcome through doctor expectations in Study 1. Note. We tested each mediation outcome separately, but we present the results together for ease of interpretation.
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A father’s involvement in prenatal care engenders health benefits for both mothers and children. While this information can help practitioners improve family health, low paternal involvement in prenatal care remains a challenge. The present study tested a simple, easily scalable intervention to promote father involvement by increasing men’s feeling...
Citations
... Men may not participate in prenatal, postnatal, newborn, or post-abortion care because they do not receive any information from health providers that is beneficial to them regarding the health of the mother and the baby, or about their roles in it. This may be the reason why men do not participate in prenatal, postnatal, newborn, or postabortion care [9]. The idea that men should be involved in the maternal care of their pregnant partners has gained momentum and has become important because of the realization that men's behavior can significantly affect the health outcomes for women and babies. ...
Background: Maternal mortality remains a significant public health concern in developing countries, including Pakistan, with
... The role of men in protecting the health of their partners before, during, and after childbirth cannot be overemphasised (Aborigo et al. 2018;Tinuola, Irinoye, and Augustine 2020). Male involvement during antenatal care positively impacts their partners' knowledge of danger signs to watch out for during pregnancy (Albuja et al. 2019;Alemi et al. 2021;Greenspan et al. 2019). Also, their involvement during childbirth strengthens the bond with their partners and their newborns. ...
Background: Maternal mortality rate is still a major problem in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Nigeria. In Nigeria, the lack of male involvement in maternity care has been indicated as one of the factors aggravating maternal mortality. Therefore, this study examined the perception of male involvement in maternity care among male postgraduate students at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Methodology: This quantitative study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional research design. The data were generated using structured, self-administered questionnaires to gather data from 155 male postgraduate students at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Data were analysed using SPSS version 22.0. Inferential statistics were used for hypotheses testing at a 0.05% level of significance. Results: The findings of the research revealed that 69% of the respondents had a positive perception of male involvement in maternity care. Also, there was no significant relationship between men's age, occupational status, marital status, and their perception of involvement in maternal health care services. Recommendations: Health professionals should be actively involved in the continuous education of men of marriageable age on the roles and responsibilities of men during pregnancy, labour, and childbirth to promote male involvement in maternal health services, thereby reducing the maternal mortality rate.
... Our findings and other research literature suggest feminised health and social care environments are not inviting to fathers (Robertson et al., 2018). Simple changes, such as including pictures of fathers and mothers in posters, have had a positive impact on fathers' sense of inclusion in prenatal care settings (Albuja et al., 2019). Adapting environments might need to go further than this to offer comprehensive support to fathers who use substances, including service provision outside traditional health and social care settings and exploring how to offer fathers meaningful leisure spaces that do not encourage substance use. ...
This qualitative evidence synthesis informs intervention development by systematically searching, evaluating and synthesizing qualitative studies on fatherhood in the context of heavy drinking and other substance use. We searched seven databases, grey literature and reference lists to identify eligible studies. Our international sample includes 156 fathers of different ages, cultural backgrounds and family living arrangements across 14 unique studies. The lead author applied thematic synthesis to develop the themes, in an ongoing dialogue with team members. Our understanding of fatherhood in the context of heavy drinking and other substance use is communicated through six themes. Fathers' heavy drinking and other substance use can be understood as a method of emotional coping. Fathers' substance use choices are intertwined with their social contexts from childhood to adulthood. Being a safe presence in children's lives is a potentially overlooked aspect of fathers' substance use interventions. In our qualitative evidence synthesis , we observed the pivotal role of supportive relationships in fathers' substance use trajectories. We recommend co-produced intervention development that considers both fathers as individuals and as members of social networks. This is relevant across statutory, community and voluntary sector settings. ARTICLE HISTORY
... Fathers' prenatal support is also important to men themselves. Fathers who attend prenatal visits report greater parenting confidence, comfort, and intentions to learn about the pregnancy and engage in healthy habits, such as avoiding smoking and alcohol during their partner's pregnancy (Albuja et al., 2019). Although studies have found unmarried fathers' tangible support of pregnant mothers correlates with fathers' engagement with children during early childhood (Cabrera et al., 2008), research has not examined the associations between prenatal tangible support of mothers and father-child relationships during later stages of child development (e.g., adolescence). ...
The current study examined three research questions: (a) Are unmarried at birth fathers' prenatal and birth-related behavioral, attitudinal, and identity adjustments directly related to father engagement in child-related activities during early childhood and father-child closeness in middle childhood and adolescence? (b) Do father engagement in child-related activities during early childhood, coresidence, and coparenting at age 5 mediate the association between unmarried fathers' prenatal and birth-related variables and father-child relationship in middle childhood and adolescence? (c) Do father-child closeness, coresidence, and coparenting in middle childhood mediate the association between fathers' prenatal and birth-related variables and father-child relationship during adolescence? Using a subsample of Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing data (N = 2,647), we found support for our hypotheses that fathers' prenatal and birth-related variables significantly predicted father-child engagement during early childhood and father-child closeness during middle childhood and adolescence, although not all prenatal and birth-related variables are related to outcomes during each stage of childhood development. Father involvement and coparenting cooperation significantly mediated the associations among fathers' prenatal and birth-related variables and father-child closeness at ages 9 and 15. Our findings indicate that researchers, practitioners, and policymakers should take advantage of the prenatal period and direct resources to facilitate and strengthen prospective unmarried fathers' early relationships with their partners and children. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
... There is very limited educational material directed at fathers, in the obstetric office and online (Albuja et al. 2019). ...
There is very limited literature on the experiences of fathers during Obstetric prenatal care (PNC), especially hearing from fathers’ voices directly. The MGH Fatherhood Project conducted two annual surveys—data combined for analysis—of all fathers who accompanied their partners to prenatal care visits over 2-week periods at a large, tertiary-care urban hospital in Boston, MA. The anonymous, voluntary close-ended survey was offered in multiple languages and self-administered on iPads.
Results: Nine hundred fifty nine fathers participated, 86% of attending fathers, possibly making the study the largest research sample of fathers in PNC. Fathers are actively and deeply engaged with the impending birth; they have substantial physical health needs (obesity, family planning and lack of primary care), and mental health needs (stress, depressive symptoms, and personal isolation). Fathers perceived they were well treated during the PNC visit, but were desirous of more reproductive, relational, and infant health information and skills, which they preferred to receive from publications, social media, or health professionals; and they were very supportive of PNC fatherhood initiatives.
Discussion: The results suggest five sets of practical recommendations to create a more father-friendly environment in Obstetric care-Staff Training; Father-Friendly Clinic Environment; Explicit Affirmation of Father Inclusion; Development of Educational Materials; and Specialized Father-Focused Health Initiatives, all with the goal of improving reproductive health outcomes for families.
... Some literature suggests that a father's involvement in prenatal care engenders health benefits for both mothers and children [41][42][43]. While this information can help practitioners improve family health, low paternal involvement in prenatal care remains a challenge. ...
Plain English summary Currently, many couples delay childbearing until after the age of 40. The natural decline of fertility of elderly couples forces them to utilize assisted reproductive technology. Although males continuously produce sperm throughout their entire life, their sperm quality decreases, changes occur in reproductive hormones, the incidence of de novo mutations increases, and negative behavioral choices could cause a decline in males’ fertility potential after the age of 40. Due to their age women may also face fertility issues that have an impact on pregnancy and childbirth. This study only included couples who had successfully given birth in frozen embryo transfer cycles. Considering that birthweight is an important indicator of neonatal health, we explored the association between paternal age and singleton birthweight. Our study found that paternal age is not associated with mean birthweight and gestational age- and gender-adjusted birthweight (Z-scores) of singletons in FET cycles, showing chances of successful pregnancy in couples over 40 years of age have improved.
... There is very limited educational material directed at fathers, in the obstetric office and online (Albuja et al. 2019). ...
This aim of this open access book is to launch an international, cross-disciplinary conversation on fatherhood engagement. By integrating perspective from three sectors—Health, Social Policy, and Work in Organizations—the book offers a novel perspective on the benefits of engaged fatherhood for men, for families, and for gender equality. The chapters are crafted to engaged broad audiences, including policy makers and organizational leaders, healthcare practitioners and fellow scholars, as well as families and their loved ones.
... An important step towards creating father-friendly services is to ensure antenatal services signal fathers' involvement. A recent series of interventions found that inclusion of environmental cues, such as men's magazines and pictures of fathers, increased intentions and confidence in men to be involved as fathers and to engage in health behaviors (Albuja et al., 2019). In addition, Menzies (2019) recommends that health professionals need to link the birth transition to fatherhood, rather than simply preparing men to support their partners. ...
The transition to fatherhood may present a ‘teachable moment’ when men evaluate their health behaviors. This scoping review synthesizes evidence on men’s experiences of alcohol consumption in the context of fatherhood, and on interventions to reduce drinking among new fathers. We searched four databases and reference lists to identify eligible studies. The review findings were discussed with key stakeholders. The review identified five articles published in peer-reviewed journals, and one protocol. Three qualitative studies explored fathers’ experiences of alcohol consumption. They suggest that men may reduce their drinking to support their pregnant partner, and that some men believe fathers should be role models for their children. The two intervention studies suggest that text message interventions may be successful in engaging men. However, their effectiveness in addressing alcohol use in fathers is unclear. Only one study evaluated intervention effectiveness and this was a couple-based smoking intervention, that led to reduction in drinking.
This review found that it is feasible to recruit fathers through gatekeepers and venues where fathers may go (e.g. antenatal clinics). This scoping review highlights the scarcity of research on fathers’ experiences of alcohol use and on interventions to support new fathers to reduce alcohol consumption.
... Prenatal care is a vital setting for promoting positive pregnancy outcomes, and increased participation of fathers in prenatal care affords an opportunity to engage men in promoting maternal and child health. Despite increasing participation of fathers in prenatal care and emerging efforts to promote "father-friendly" prenatal care settings (Albuja et al., 2019), little research has focused specifically on father engagement in prenatal care or explored the perspectives of both mothers and fathers on father participation. This study generated an in-depth understanding of mothers' and fathers' experiences of father participation in prenatal care and insight into ways of supporting father engagement in prenatal care that promote positive experiences of care for women. ...
... Nationally and globally, researchers and clinicians have begun to consider the role of fathers in promoting maternal and child health, and father participation in prenatal healthcare is increasingly encouraged (Albuja et al., 2019;Firouzan et al., 2018;Lewis et al., 2015;Singh et al., 2014;WHO, 2007). In this context, it is critical to develop a clear understanding of the impact of father participation on women's prenatal care experiences, how mothers and fathers define their needs and expectations with regard to prenatal care and father participation, and how prenatal care is meeting their needs or could be improved to better meet their needs. ...
Supportive father involvement during pregnancy can positively impact maternal and child outcomes. Father participation in prenatal care is increasing, yet little research exists to understand how mothers and fathers experience father participation in prenatal care and their preferences for father participation. We interviewed expectant first-time mothers (N = 22) and fathers (N = 20) to learn about fathers' participation in prenatal care, perceptions of providers' treatment of fathers, and preferences for father participation. Interviews were coded using principles of grounded theory. Father participation ranged from attendance at visits considered "important" (e.g., ultrasounds) to attendance at every appointment. Experiences of father participation varied, with many describing it as both an important act of support for the mother and part of assuming the role of father. Most participants saw great value in father participation in prenatal care as an opportunity for fathers to learn how to support a healthy pregnancy, bond with their developing baby, and share joy and/or worries with mothers. Participants generally felt that fathers were made to feel welcome and wanted providers to be inclusive of fathers during appointments. Results of this study suggest that father participation presents an opportunity for prenatal care providers to foster fathers' positive involvement in pregnancy, support for mothers, and preparation to parent.
... In addition, this work could explore other identity safety cues within office settings (e.g. the presence of a gender inclusive bathroom, see Chaney and Sanchez, 2018) or the representation of office materials (e.g. magazines or posters; see Albuja et al., 2019) to document the ways in which safety cues can influence healthcare visit outcomes, including adherence to provider's treatment recommendations (see Aronson et al., 2013) or comfort discussing sexual health (see Schwartz and Grimm, 2019). Further, research could also include focus groups discussing the effectiveness of varied identity cues at signaling an inclusive environment (Wilkinson, 1998). ...
The present work experimentally examines how identity cues that signal minority inclusion contribute to sexual minorities’ (SM) healthcare visit expectations. We find that minority representation cues reduced SM’s ( N = 188) expectations of a healthcare provider’s bias and increased perceived provider cultural competency which was, in turn, associated with lower anticipated identity-based devaluation and greater sexual orientation disclosure comfort. Providers’ diversity-valuing statements had mixed effects highlighting the importance of more concrete indicators of inclusion in this context. This work suggests that a lack of identity safety cues in healthcare settings may contribute to disparate health outcomes for sexual minority populations.
