Abstract
BackgroundThe inclusion of fathers’ participation during the perinatal period is an important strategy for improving mothers’ health. No studies have yet been conducted in Iran to explain the concept, obstacles and facilitators of fathers’ participation during the perinatal period. Thus, this study will be carried out to provide a comprehensive interventional program for promoting fathers’ participation in the perinatal care.MethodsThis study is a sequential exploratory (qualitative – quantitative) mixed methods design that consists of three consecutive phases. In this study, following a qualitative approach, the researchers will explain the concept, obstacles, facilitators and strategies related to promoting fathers’ participation in perinatal care. In the second phase, researchers will design an appropriate and comprehensive interventional program for promoting fathers’ participation in perinatal care by using the results of the qualitative phase and literature reviews. The proposed interventional program is designed by a panel of experts based on prioritization guidelines and will be finalized for execution. In the third stage, the effectiveness of interventional program on the awareness, attitude and practice of fathers about participation in perinatal care will be investigated in a semi-experimental study.DiscussionIt is expected that from the results of the present mixed methods study, by presenting an interventional culturally sensitive program which is appropriate for the conditions of the society for expectant fathers, the participation of fathers in the perinatal period will increase and thus lead to improvements in the health of the mother and the infant. If this interventional program is effective, it could be included in the perinatal health care guidelines.Trial registrationIRCT20160224026756N4 Registered 27 May 2018.
Highlights
The inclusion of fathers’ participation during the perinatal period is an important strategy for improving mothers’ health
It is expected that conducting a mixed method study by Firouzan et al Reproductive Health (2018) 15:142 presenting an interventional culturally sensitive program which is appropriate for the conditions of the society for expectant fathers, the participation of fathers in the perinatal period will increase and improve the health of the mother and the infant
According to the 7th clinical guideline of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2012, perinatal care include a full range of preconception counseling, preparing prenatal and delivery care, neonatal care and postpartum care [2] and the main goal of these care is to prevent any complications for the mother and the infant [3]
Summary
The inclusion of fathers’ participation during the perinatal period is an important strategy for improving mothers’ health. Many studies have mentioned the positive outcomes of men’s participation during pregnancy and delivery [5,6,7,8] In this regard, in the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in 1994, the shared responsibility of men and improvement of their active participation in parental responsibilities, sexual behaviors and reproductive responsibility in family planning, pregnancy health, maternal-neonatal health, preventing unwanted and risky pregnancies, health and nutrition of the children and preventing violence against women and children, were emphasized [9]. Despite this emphasis and international agreement on the importance of men’s participation for the improvement of maternal and neonatal health, advancements in this regard are slow and there are challenges in preparing the environments for the presence and participation of men in the care of mothers [10], in a way that the United Nations Population Fund in 2009 stated that:“ Despite the significant evidence about the benefits of men’s participation far, and men have responded well to the efforts of their participation during delivery., their participation during pregnancy, delivery and childcare has not been effectively promoted globally” [9]
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