Recorded presentation

Yusuf Sahip, MD¹, Janet M. Turan, PhD², Hacer Nalbant, MA¹, and Ali Kemal Çetin, MD¹. (1) Institute of Child Health, Istanbul University, Kadın ve Çocuk Sağlığı Eğitim ve Araştırma Birimi, Cerrahi Monoblok karşısı, Çapa, İstanbul, 34093, Turkey, (2) Institute for Research on Women and Gender, Stanford University, 556 Salvatierra Walk, Serra House, Stanford, CA 94305, (650) 497-9229, jmturan@stanford.edu

Previous research in Turkey has indicated that educating expectant fathers can have positive effects on reproductive health. In a clinic-based antenatal education program for couples the positive effects of including men included increased use of contraception to delay or prevent the next birth. Based on the difficulties in getting men to participate in a couples program in this cultural setting, a separate community-based program for expectant fathers was developed. The new program resulted in positive effects on male knowledge and attitudes in the areas of infant health, infant feeding, postpartum family planning, and spousal relations. Based these findings, a project to test the feasibility and effects of expanding the special program for expectant fathers to large work places was developed. Topics covered in the program include the psychological state of the expectant father, health and nutrition during pregnancy, support of women during childbirth, breastfeeding, postpartum and postnatal checkups, postpartum contraception, and adjustment to fatherhood. Male physicians working at six large work places in Istanbul were trained as educators for this program and then ran the program at their own work places with the assistance of project staff. The project is being evaluated using pre- and post-tests with participants, a survey of behaviors at 3 and 9 months after the birth conducted with participants and a control group, and focus groups with wives of participating men. This paper will present preliminary findings from the pre- and post-tests, the survey conducted at 3 months after the baby’s birth, and the focus groups.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusions of this session the participant in this session will be able to

• Describe the potential reproductive health benefits of including men in antenatal education in a developing country setting.
• List special topics to include when educating expectant fathers.
• Discuss the risks and benefits of bringing men into a domain where women have traditionally been in charge.

Keywords: International MCH, Prenatal Interventions

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation