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Published (Version of record)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open
Journal article
Pregnancy intention, preconception health, health behaviours, and information and health advice seeking among expectant male partners
BMC primary care, Vol.26, pp.1-12
12/02/2025
PMID: 39939932
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Abstract
Background
Attempting pregnancy as a conscious decision (pregnancy intention) can impact the likelihood that a future parent receives or seeks preconception health information, initiates discussions with health professionals, and ultimately optimises their health and behaviours in preparation for healthy pregnancy and child. Knowledge about the relationship between men's preconception health behaviours and their pregnancy intention is only emerging.
Methods
This study aimed to describe the preconception health status, behaviours, information- and advice-seeking of male expectant partners, and to explore differences in these preconception factors based on pregnancy intention. An online retrospective cross-sectional survey was completed by male reproductive partners of pregnant females. Their pregnancy intention was assessed using the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP). Participants were recruited via social media and all variables were self-reported by expectant partners. Chi-square tests examined differences by LMUP categories (planned or ambivalent/unplanned).
Results
Of 156 expectant partners who consented to survey participation, 138 completed all LMUP questions and were included in analysis. Most expectant partners reported their partner's current pregnancy as planned (n = 90;65.2%), less than half reported looking for and finding information about becoming pregnant (40.0%). Expectant partners with planned pregnancy more often reported physical exercise three months before pregnancy compared with partners with unplanned/ambivalent pregnancy (p = 0.001). Expectant partners with ambivalent/unplanned pregnancy more often experienced longstanding illness, disability, or infirmity (p = 0.002) or disregarded contraception (p < 0.001). Despite perceiving good or excellent health, and undertaking physical exercise, numerous expectant partners with planned pregnancy had overweight. Further research exploring the reproductive life plan process for males with longstanding chronic illness or disability may help promote pregnancy planning and preconception health amongst this sub-population.
Conclusions
Further large-scale studies are needed to enable clinicians to better understand pregnancy intentions and preconception health of males and for policy makers to formulate health policies aimed at supporting male preconception health and awareness.
Details
- Title
- Pregnancy intention, preconception health, health behaviours, and information and health advice seeking among expectant male partners
- Creators
- Tristan Carter - University of Technology SydneyDanielle Schoenaker - University of SouthamptonJon Adams - University of Technology SydneyAmie Steel - University of Technology Sydney
- Publication Details
- BMC primary care, Vol.26, pp.1-12
- Publisher
- BMC
- Identifiers
- 991013262610902368
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2025
- Academic Unit
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article