1. Opportunities to Address Men's Health During the Perinatal Period - Puerto Rico, 2017.
- Author
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Salvesen von Essen B, Kortsmit K, D'Angelo DV, Warner L, Smith RA, Simon C, Garfield CF, Virella WH, and Vargas Bernal MI
- Subjects
- Adult, Female, Humans, Infant, Newborn, Male, Pregnancy, Puerto Rico, Young Adult, Health Promotion methods, Men's Health, Perinatal Care
- Abstract
Decreased use of health care services (1), increased exposure to occupational hazards, and higher rates of substance use (2) might contribute to men's poorer health outcomes when compared with such outcomes for women (3). During the transition to fatherhood, paternal health and involvement during pregnancy might have an impact on maternal and infant outcomes (4-6). To assess men's health-related behaviors and participation in fatherhood-related activities surrounding pregnancy, the Puerto Rico Department of Health and CDC analyzed data from the paternal survey of the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System-Zika Postpartum Emergency Response (PRAMS-ZPER)* study. Fewer than one half (48.3%) of men attended a health care visit for themselves in the 12 months before their newborn's birth. However, most fathers attended one or more prenatal care visits (87.2%), were present at the birth (83.1%), and helped prepare for the newborn's arrival (e.g., by preparing the home [92.4%] or purchasing supplies [93.9%]). These findings suggest that opportunities are available for public health messaging directed toward fathers during the perinatal period to increase attention to their own health and health behaviors, and to emphasize the role they can play in supporting their families' overall health and well-being., Competing Interests: All authors have completed and submitted the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors form for disclosure of potential conflicts of interest. No potential conflicts of interest were disclosed.
- Published
- 2021
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