Abstract
Birth intention among US fathers with disability: Findings from the 2011–2017 national survey of family growth
Eun Ha Namkung and Monika Mitra, PhD
Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
APHA's 2020 VIRTUAL Annual Meeting and Expo (Oct. 24 - 28)
Paternal childbearing intention is known to affect their involvement in parenting, and further child health and development. However, little is known to what extent fathers with disabilities intend to have a child and whether their childbearing intention differs from that of nondisabled fathers. This study aims (1) to examine birth intention among fathers with disabilities compared to those without disabilities and (2) to explore whether the associations between disability and birth intention are moderated by marital status. Using the 2011–2017 National Survey of Family Growth, we analyzed data from a sample of 2,386 US fathers ages 15–44. Multinomial logistic regression models were estimated to examine whether fathers with disabilities, compared to those without disabilities, report higher rates of unwanted or mistimed birth versus on-time intended birth, after adjusting for fathers’ sociodemographic characteristics and their birth characteristics. Fathers with disabilities showed a higher likelihood of having unwanted birth compared to their nondisabled peers after adjusting for covariates (predicted probabilities = 0.12 versus 0.07, p <.01). Results from our exploratory moderation analysis further showed that a higher risk of having unwanted birth among fathers with disabilities than fathers without disabilities was not evident among unmarried fathers but among fathers who were married when their child was born. Fathers living with disabilities constitute large populations with unexplored family planning needs, and they need to be included in strategies to prevent unintended pregnancy.
Epidemiology Social and behavioral sciences
Abstract
Opportunities to address men’s health during the perinatal period: Lessons learned from Puerto Rico, PRAMS-zika postpartum emergency response study, 2017
Beatriz Salvesen von Essen, MPH1, Katie Kortsmit, PhD2, Denise D'Angelo, MPH2, Lee Warner, PhD, MPH2, Ruben Smith, PhD, MS2, Wanda Hernandez-Virella, BHE, MPH3, Manuel Vargas Bernal, MD, MPH3, Clarissa Simon, PhD, MPH4 and Craig Garfield, MD MAPP5
(1)CDC Foundation, Atlanta, GA, (2)Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, (3)Puerto Rico Department of Health, San Juan, PR, (4)Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, (5)Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
APHA's 2020 VIRTUAL Annual Meeting and Expo (Oct. 24 - 28)
Men are less likely to seek preventive healthcare services compared to women, limiting opportunities for healthcare providers to engage with men regarding their health; and possibly contributing to gender disparities in health (e.g., lower life expectancy, higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease). We analyzed data from the PRAMS-Zika Postpartum Emergency Response (PRAMS-ZPER) study, a collaborative project between the Puerto Rico Department of Health and CDC, implemented in Puerto Rico from 2016-2018 to gather information about experiences related to the prevention and detection of Zika virus infection during pregnancy among women with a live birth in Puerto Rico. During November—December 2017, an in-hospital survey was additionally conducted to obtain data from infants’ fathers or mothers’ male partner about their own experiences during pregnancy. Analyses were conducted using SAS 9.4 and SAS-callable SUDAAN (11.0). Among 1,535 eligible men, 1,178 participated (76.7% response rate). Approximately half (48.3%) attended a healthcare visit for themselves in the 12 months before their infant’s birth. However, most fathers attended at least some or all prenatal care visit with the infant’s mother (87.1%), were present at the birth (83.1%), and engaged in preparations for the infant, such as preparing the home (92.4%) and purchasing supplies (93.9%). These findings are consistent with previous research, showing men infrequently seek healthcare services for themselves. However, men overwhelmingly attended prenatal visits and were present at childbirth, showing that the perinatal period may present an opportune time for public health messaging to address men’s own health needs.
Advocacy for health and health education Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs Other professions or practice related to public health Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs Public health or related education
Abstract
Who that is? determinants of paternal involvement with nonresidential children
Adaobi Anakwe, MPH, Orlando Davy, MPH, Kemba noel-London, MAT, ATC, CES, Pamela Xaverius, MBA, PhD and Rhonda BeLue, PhD
Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO
APHA's 2020 VIRTUAL Annual Meeting and Expo (Oct. 24 - 28)
Background: Father involvement with their children is associated with a host of positive outcomes. Although recent research has focused on father involvement, little is known about factors associated with the underlying dynamics and relationship patterns of fathers with their non-resident children.
Objectives: To identify subgroups of fathering behaviors related to involvement with non-resident children.
Methods: This study used extant data from the 2015-2017 National Survey for Family Growth. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to examine involvement behavior profiles of fathers with non-residential children between ages 5 to 18 years (n=213). Twelve dimensions of fathering activities were used to determine class membership. Class membership was also examined across sociodemographic variables.
Results: Four unique latent classes of father involvement were identified (fully invested, moderately invested, fairly invested and not invested) from LCA models. Fully invested fathers provided emotional support, participated in shared activities, were available and provided financial support. The probability of “fully invested’’ class membership was comparable between Black and Other races (38.7% versus 39.3%). However, the probability of “fully invested” class membership differed across father's sociodemographic profiles. The probability for “fully invested” class membership was higher among fathers who were married (54.6%), lived below the poverty threshold (51.5%) and did not have a college degree (56.9%).
Conclusion: Profiles of fathers involved with their non-resident children differ. As children and families continually transition through various structures, there is a need to understand how father-child engagement occurs in these settings to inform policies and programs to promote active parental engagement.
Epidemiology Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs Social and behavioral sciences
Abstract
Community residents’ perceptions of fathers’ health using community-based participatory research focus groups and the life-course perspective
Lindsey King, PhD MPH, CHES, CCRP, CTTS1, Abraham Salinas-Miranda, MD, PhD, MPH, MACE, CDVS2, Sarah Collins, MPH1, Ronee Wilson, PhD, MPH, CPH3, Estrellita "Lo" Berry, MA4, Hamisu Salihu, MD, PhD5 and Gaia Zori, MPH1
(1)University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, (2)University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, (3)University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Tampa, FL, (4)REACHUP, Inc., Tampa, FL, (5)Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
APHA's 2020 VIRTUAL Annual Meeting and Expo (Oct. 24 - 28)
There is a need to improve father involvement before, during, and after pregnancies. Father/men’s health in the context of racial minority communities must be nurtured and supported to improve their health and maternal and child health outcomes. Yet, little is known about minority communities’ perspectives on culturally relevant ways to improve father/men’s health, improve father involvement, and address racial disparities in maternal and child health. The life-course perspective is a valuable ecological, multi-level approach to understanding disparities in maternal and child health populations. This study used community-based participatory research and the life-course perspective to examine community residents’ perspectives of men’s risk and protective health factors in a low-income community of color in Tampa, Florida. A total of 78 residents participated in ten focus groups, including two conducted with adolescents. Protective factors for men included mentorship, supportive partners, spirituality, stable employment, health insurance, positive reinforcement, availability of recreational/exercise activities, smoking cessation resources, and education. Risk factors included unemployment, financial stress, drug/alcohol use, incarceration, lack of exercise, lack of health services, lack of health insurance, community violence, lack of father presence, lack of internal and external motivation, malnutrition, lack of positive parenting skills, poverty, illiteracy, lack of community trust, lack of communication between generations, and fear of negative health diagnoses. Specific factors for adolescent males were also identified in the two adolescent focus groups. These resident-identified risk and protective factors must be considered when developing effective fatherhood involvement strategies targeted to men to improve men’s health and maternal and child health outcomes.
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs Program planning Public health or related research Social and behavioral sciences
Abstract
Paternal characteristics associated with preterm birth
Ashley Hill, DrPH, MPH1, Catherine Haggerty, PhD, MPH2, Brandie D. Taylor, Ph.D.3, Guru Jammy, PhD4, P.S. Reddy, MD5, Kalpana Betha4 and Elizabeth Miller, MD, PhD6
(1)UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, (2)University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, (3)Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, (4)SHARE INDIA, Telangana, India, (5)University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, (6)UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
APHA's 2020 VIRTUAL Annual Meeting and Expo (Oct. 24 - 28)
Background
Paternal biological factors influence the growth and development of the fetus and may influence pregnancy outcomes, although not well investigated. This study explored paternal factors associated with preterm birth in a sample of rural to peri-urban Indian women and their husbands.
Methods
A retrospective analysis of cohort data from the Longitudinal Indian Family hEalth (LIFE) study were included. Women (n=1227) and their husbands were recruited preconception or in their first trimester from 2009 – 2016 and followed through pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum. Data collected at study registration included demographics, environmental exposures and mental health. The main outcome was overall preterm birth. An initial exploratory analysis of paternal factors and preterm birth was conducted; crude odds ratios are reported.
Results
This sample included 827 live births. Fathers were primarily Hindu (89%), from a backward caste (57%), had attended school (92%), and could read (90%) and write (90%). Approximately 70% reported alcohol use, and 20% reported tobacco use. Diabetes, asthma (< 1%) and prevalence of feeling sad (5%) were low and pesticide use in the home was common (17%). The preterm birth prevalence was 15% (n=91). Paternal alcohol use (1.72 CI 95% 1.03-2.89) and the ability to write (OR=0.46 CI 95% 0.25-0.84) were independently associated preterm birth.
Conclusion
These intriguing findings suggest the need for additional complex analyses that investigate paternal social and behavioral factors. This may include examining complex interactive relationships between maternal and paternal characteristics influencing adverse pregnancy outcomes in diverse cohorts to understand potentially modifiable risk factors.
Epidemiology Public health or related research Social and behavioral sciences