Men’s knowledge of preconception health: A systematic review

Abstract

A BSTRACT Preconception health is defined as the physical and psychological well-being of women and men throughout their reproductive life. It is a method that raises healthy fertility and focuses on activities that persons can take to minimize risks, raise healthy lifestyles, and increase preparation for pregnancy. The purpose of this systematic review study was to assess men’s knowledge of preconception health. Electronic databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Sciencedirect, ProQuest, Cochrane, SAGE, Springer, Google Scholar, were searched for published studies from 2000 to March 2021 to identify the studies carried out on men’s knowledge of preconception health. The quality assessment was done using the critical appraisal skills program tool for qualitative studies and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for cross-sectional studies. Of the 1195 references identified in the initial search, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. Because of the diversity in the study design and the data collection tools used in studies, meta-analysis was impossible. All the studies of the present systematic review found that men’s preconception health knowledge is poor. This systematic review showed that men’s preconception health knowledge is low. Due to the limited studies of men’s knowledge about the importance of optimizing their health before pregnancy, further study of the issue is still required.

What does ‘preconception health’ mean to people? A public consultation on awareness and use of language

“…A general lack of knowledge and awareness of preconception health among the public has been reported in previous studies. [18][19][20][21][22][23] When people are not prompted about what might be important before pregnancy, topics most mentioned include: diet and (folic acid/vitamin) supplements, weight, alcohol, smoking, illicit drugs/substances, medical conditions, wellbeing/mental health, social support and relationships, and financial circumstances. 18,20,23 These topics were not necessarily mentioned or understood as important by the majority of participants in our consultation or previous studies, and detailed knowledge of why these topics are important and what to do (e.g.…”

“…Discussions throughout our public consultation indicated that people want detailed information on all aspects of preconception health related to whom should be advised to do what, why and when. This may reflect their general lack of knowledge of preconception health, [18][19][20][21][22][23] and their willingness to learn more. 22 Public contributors in our consultation also agreed that they wanted to know about immediate benefits of optimising preconception health for their own health, in addition to benefits for a healthy pregnancy and baby.…”

“…[14][15][16][17] Lack of knowledge and awareness in the general population has been a commonly reported barrier to accessing services and resources and optimise preconception health. [18][19][20][21][22][23] In response to this, an important component of local preconception health programmes has been to provide information and raise awareness, largely focussed on information relevant to cisgender women planning pregnancy. Having access to preconception health information and being aware of steps to take to plan and prepare for pregnancy may not on its own be sufficient, but can be an important prompt for behaviour change and a key part of preconception health interventions.…”

Unlocking the Path to Healthier Families: The Untapped Potential of Men’s Preconception Health

“…However, incorporating a preconception primary healthcare model tailored for men may face several noteworthy challenges. These challenges encompass limited awareness and comprehension among men regarding the significance of preconception care, potentially resulting in reduced utilization of such services (Rabiei et al, 2023 ). Additionally, healthcare systems might not be suitably equipped or funded to provide specialized preconception care for men, given the traditional emphasis on women’s reproductive health.…”

“…Studies indicating a rise in awareness represent a positive shift, yet they also emphasize the vast scope of work that remains. Most men, as noted, continue to be surprisingly uninformed about their significant contributions to child and maternal health outcomes (Rabiei et al, 2023 ). It is imperative that we extend these efforts beyond the more informed and health-conscious individuals to reach a broader demographic, ensuring that all men are equipped with the knowledge and resources necessary to contribute positively to preconception health.…”