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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
The Preconception Health and Health Behaviors of Australian First-Time Fathers: A Cross-Sectional Study
Health education & behavior, Vol.First online
24/01/2026
PMID: 41580392
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Abstract
Preconception health can be optimized through preconception care, which is considered an effective catalyst for behavior change prior to parenthood and is of paramount importance due to the influence that health behaviors can have on pregnancy and offspring outcomes. The preconception health and preconception health behaviors of males before they become fathers for the first time remain underexplored and are an emerging area of interest for public health and reproductive health research. This article is the first report and quantitative cross-sectional analysis of the national dataset pertaining to male health, Ten to Men, reporting data relevant to male health across the life course, during preconception. This report offers research foresight into the health behaviors (e.g., smoking or alcohol), health conditions, health consultations, medications, health information, and health literacy of Australian males prior to becoming a father (n = 572). The findings of this research support an undervalued albeit indispensable research area by providing up-to-date evidence-based information regarding paternal preconception health and health behaviors. This public health research with a focus on paternal preconception health behaviors and health behavior change can only strengthen the call for preventive health and offer preconception health and preventive knowledge about males for the research community and practitioners.
Details
- Title
- The Preconception Health and Health Behaviors of Australian First-Time Fathers: A Cross-Sectional Study
- Creators
- Tristan Carter - University of Technology SydneyDanielle Schoenaker - University of SouthamptonJon Adams - University of Technology SydneyAmie Steel - University of Technology Sydney
- Publication Details
- Health education & behavior, Vol.First online
- Publisher
- Sage
- Grant note
- Australian Government: RTP Stipend National Institute for Health and Care Research: NIHR203319
The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: T.C. is funded under a Commonwealth Government research training stipend (RTP stipend). D.S. is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) through an NIHR Advanced Fellowship (NIHR302955) and the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre (NIHR203319). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
- Identifiers
- 991013346939902368
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2026.
- Academic Unit
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article