Preconception health indicators among adult US men: Race/ethnicity variations and temporal trends

Abstract

BackgroundPreconception health is important for men as it is for women. However, optimizing preconception health is understudied among men.ObjectivesTo examine the time trends and temporal shifts in preconception health risk indicators among 20–44‐year‐old adult US men in need of preconception care and their racial/ethnic variations.Materials and methodsData from the 2011–2019 National Survey of Family Growth male file was used to estimate the prevalence of nine preconception health indicators among men (20–44 years) intending to have a future pregnancy (n = 6813), stratifying by race/ethnicity, and assessing temporal changes across the study period. Binary logit and linear regression models estimated temporal trends from 2011–2013 to 2017–2019. Absolute and relative changes were estimated to detect temporal shifts in men's preconception health comparing 2011–2013 to 2017–2019.ResultsMen in all groups exhibited substantial preconception health needs, with unique trends across race/ethnicity groups. Between 2011 and 2019, the prevalence of marijuana use (28.6%–39.4%, p = 0.001), overweight/obese status (60.7%–65.1%, p ≤ 0.001), and the mean number of preconception health indicators (M = 2.69–2.84, p = 0.018) increased. Among non‐Hispanic White men, the prevalence of marijuana use (30.1%–41.4%, p = 0.028), overweight/obese status (60.6%–63.7%, p = 0.002), and mean number of preconception health risk indicators (M = 2.74–2.90, p = 0.033) increased. Among Hispanic men, the prevalence of inconsistent/no condom use (68.9%–81.4%, p = 0.022), marijuana use (18.9%–40.4%, p = 0.001), and the mean number preconception health risk indicators (M = 2.50–2.96, p = 0.014) increased. Among non‐Hispanic Black men, sexually transmitted infections declined (5.4%–3.6%, p = 0.002). Significant temporal shifts, which varied by race/ethnicity, were also observed.Discussion and conclusionOur study, which provides initial insight into men's preconception health development in the last decade, highlights a tremendous need for preconception health care among men. Their increasing preconception health needs, and their racial/ethnic variations, suggest additional contributors to racial/ethnic differences in men's reproductive outcomes and their long‐term health.