252692 Best Practices for Improving Research, Policy and Practice on Paternal Involvement in Pregnancy Outcomes

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Jermane Bond, PhD , Health Policy Institute, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Washimgton, DC
Methods: The Commission on Paternal Involvement in Pregnancy Outcomes (CPIPO) was assembled in 2009, with funding from the Office of Minority Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. CPIPO conducted a comprehensive review of the literature and issued best and promising research, policy, and practice recommendations to improve paternal involvement in pregnancy outcomes.

Results: CPIPO identified numerous barriers to paternal involvement. These barriers include policy-level, social-structural, socio-demographic and life-course factors that often disallow fathers from full participation in caring for their children and families. CPIPO released 40 recommendations to improve paternal involvement in pregnancy and family health.

Conclusion: Research has demonstrated that men are important to maternal and child health. We know that paternal involvement can have a positive influence on maternal health behaviors during pregnancy, but further research is essential to enhance our knowledge regarding specific roles of the expectant father in pregnancy outcomes. Subsequently, we also need to instill the understanding and admiration of equal participation of men and expectant fathers across all aspects of our clinical practice, funding agencies, and healthcare organizations.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Other professions or practice related to public health
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Public health or related public policy
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1.Define paternal involvement in pregnancy outcomes 2.Describe implications for research, policy and practice on paternal involvement 3.Identify strategies and recommendations to improve paternal involvement in pregnancy outcomes

Keywords: Pregnancy Outcomes, Partner Involvement

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have multiple years of professional experience and qualifications to be an Abstract Author.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Topics in Maternal Child Health: Poster Session
See more of: Maternal and Child Health