Abstract
MethodsA cross-sectional survey of men attending antenatal care with their partners at three London Maternity Units. We assessed level of pregnancy planning using the partner version of the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP), preconception health behaviours, and whether they had sought information and health professional advice before conception.Main resultsWe recruited 573 men (91% response rate). Mean age was 34 years, 86% were in employment or full time education and 66% had a degree. Half were overweight or obese, 16% were still smoking and 79% had consumed alcohol in the three months before conception. Of 250 men answering questions about medication, a third were taking medication with potentially adverse effects on male reproductive health, while 23% reported taking pre-pregnancy vitamins.46.9% had looked at information about pregnancy from a variety of sources, including online, before their partner became pregnant. Assessed by the LMUP, 74% of pregnancies were planned. Male ‘planners’ were more likely than other men to reduce smoking, reduce alcohol consumption and to eat more healthily in preparation for pregnancy. However, 57% took no action to improve their health.Significance of the findingsIn a sample of relatively educated men accompanying their partners on an antenatal visit, nearly half had made at least one positive health behaviour change before pregnancy, but half were overweight or obese and a third were on medication that could impair male reproductive health. These findings, together with a high prevalence of alcohol consumption and smoking, indicate the need for greater paternal preconception health awareness and care. Innovative ways to promote positive messages about fatherhood, including medication review as part of preconception care, should be evaluated for impact on improving paternal reproductive health and pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.
Highlights
A growing body of evidence suggests that men’s health at conception plays a significant role in pregnancy and neonatal outcomes through direct and genetic influence of spermatozoa quality [1,2,3] and via psycho-social determinants of health [4]
Men have been found to positively influence their partners lifestyle decisions in respect of pregnancy [94, 95] and further research should consider health behaviour interventions which target couples. This is the first study in the UK to examine preconception care in men
Our findings that men who had planned pregnancy and men that had received preconception information were more likely than other men to reduce smoking, reduce alcohol consumption and to eat more healthily has potential to optimise paternal reproductive health, maternal health and to improve pregnancy and neonatal outcomes
Summary
A growing body of evidence suggests that men’s health at conception plays a significant role in pregnancy and neonatal outcomes through direct and genetic influence of spermatozoa quality [1,2,3] and via psycho-social determinants of health [4]. In the UK and in Europe interventions are mostly aimed at women [22] whereas in the USA improving men’s health is integral within the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) State preconception programmes [23, 24]. This policy recognises the role of men in family building and the benefit of including men in the preconception care agenda. Men are known to be poor users of preventative health services [25] and more likely than women to undertake risky health behaviours [26,27,28]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
