Gender Stereotypes and Preconception Health: Men’s and Women’s Expectations of Responsibility and Intentions to Engage in Preventive Behaviors

Preconception health policy, health promotion, and health services to achieve health in current and future generations: a narrative review

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent the leading cause of death and disability worldwide, and those NCDs contributing most burden - cardiometabolic illness, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory disease - can be largely prevented through improvements in health behaviours such as tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, exposure to environmental hazards, unhealthy dietary habits, and physical inactivity. Despite concerted efforts at all levels of health care provision and policy, population-level health behaviour change still presents an ongoing challenge to primary care clinicians, public health practitioners, health promotion specialists and government agencies around the world. An individual's age can influence their health behaviour decision-making as younger people often perceive the potential implications of their current poor health behaviours as remote in time and possibility, which may significantly limit their motivation to make a positive health behaviour change in the present. Yet public health researchers and practitioners recognise that a lifecourse approach to public health policies and interventions has the potential to reduce the risk of NCDs developing before conception and throughout life, as well as impacting the transmission of the benefits of health improvement from one generation to the next. Given the growing awareness of the benefits of a lifecourse approach to public health, a focus on improving preconception health at a population-level provides a unique opportunity for behaviour change motivation, NCD prevention and reducing inequalities across generations. Through this narrative review, we describe how three main public health strategies - health policy, health promotion and health services - may address the challenge of improving preconception health. We also explore the potential value of leveraging parental motivation in the preconception period to achieve positive health behaviour change and, in doing so, meet broader public health goals. We set out a framework for drawing on established public health methods and priorities to address structural inequalities and harness parental motivation and concern for their offspring to build and enable new and positive health behaviours that benefit current and future generations.

Promoting empowerment or intensifying reproductive burden? Accounts of preconception health adjustments among women trying to conceive

OBJECTIVE

Women's preconception health is increasingly viewed as playing a critical role in pregnancy and birth outcomes and is becoming an increasing focus of public health messages within the UK and internationally. However, little is known about how women respond to and are impacted by preconception health messages as they try to conceive a baby.

METHODS

Reflexive Thematic Analysis was used to analyse 193 responses from women in the UK to a qualitative survey on experiences of trying to conceive. As part of the survey women were asked to reflect on their engagement with preconception health practices.

RESULTS

Three themes were generated: 1) Being fit for conception; 2) Preconception health and emotional labour, and 3) Interrogating preconception health expectations.

CONCLUSION

The findings demonstrate that whilst engagement with preconception health changes was empowering for some, more troubling implications included: heightened self-surveillance, stress, risks to wellbeing, and feelings of responsibility for poor outcomes. This demonstrates the importance of considering the unintended consequences of preconception health messaging in the shape of increased 'reproductive burden'. Furthermore, future development of preconception health policy and practice must also consider women's access to psychological support when trying to conceive.

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

This debate paper explores the necessity of introducing a comprehensive primary care model for men's preconception health. It highlights the importance of a holistic approach that includes risk assessment, health promotion, and clinical and psychological interventions. Despite the current limited focus on male preconception health in primary care, there is evidence suggesting a growing awareness among men about the importance of optimizing their health before conception. The paper stresses the importance of such a model in addressing various aspects of men's well-being, family dynamics, and overall reproductive health outcomes. It also acknowledges potential limitations and considerations related to implementing this crucial healthcare approach.

Preconception knowledge, beliefs and behaviours among people of reproductive age: A systematic review of qualitative studies

BACKGROUND

The health of parents before pregnancy influences the short- and long-term health of their offspring. This systematic review explored the preconception knowledge, beliefs and behaviours held by women and men of childbearing age.

METHODS

Databases were searched from 2009 to 2022 (MEDLINE, CINAHL Full-text, PsycINFO, EMBASE). Inclusion criteria specified qualitative research papers which recruited individuals of reproductive age (16-45 years) without existing chronic illnesses. Data were quality assessed and analysed using thematic synthesis.

RESULTS

Twelve papers met inclusion criteria. Six themes were identified (cultural context, pregnancy planning, knowledge, gender roles and responsibility, information seeking, prior health behaviours) which relate to individual, social, psychological and cultural factors. Cultural context was related to all other themes. Pregnancy planners had greater motivation to optimise their health whereas those not actively planning were focused more on becoming financially stable. Women and men's knowledge of how and why to engage in health protective behaviours was limited, with health risks and behaviour change discussed in the context of pregnancy rather than preconception. Gender roles influenced individual responsibility for preparation for pregnancy, which in turn influenced information seeking behaviours and engagement in health behaviours. Online sources of support and information were seen as desirable, regardless of pregnancy planning stage.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that behaviour change interventions designed to support people to optimise health before conception should address cultural, individual, social and psychological factors to facilitate behaviour change. Development of online resources may help to increase accessibility for people across different cultural contexts and stages of pregnancy planning.

Exploring Health Behaviours, Attitudes and Beliefs of Women and Men during the Preconception and Interconception Periods: A Cross-Sectional Study of Adults on the Island of Ireland

Preconception health is increasingly seen as a key target for improving population health in the UK and Ireland, yet little is known about the attitudes and beliefs of adults regarding preconception care strategies. This online cross-sectional survey aimed to explore the health behaviours, attitudes and beliefs of adults of reproductive age in regard to preconception health and care. The survey was developed by reviewing the previous literature and engaging with those from the target group. It is one of the first surveys to assess the attitudes and beliefs of adults of reproductive age across the Island of Ireland regarding preconception health and care. Results from 386 individuals with a mean age of 29.9 ± 10.3 years were included. A variety of health behaviours, attitudes and beliefs were investigated, with differences being identified between women and men and between participants with or without children (i.e., in the preconception or interconception stage). The majority of respondents held beliefs that preconception care was important, but there was greater emphasis on women than men in terms of the need to engage in health-promoting preconception health behaviours. This study highlights the need to improve preconception health awareness in women and men in the preconception and interconception stage. Findings indicate that efforts to improve preparation for pregnancy among adults of childbearing age are needed, to ensure optimal engagement in preconception health behaviours, with efforts being tailored based on sex and parental status.

Gender Differences in Factors Influencing Self-Efficacy Toward Pregnancy Planning among College Students in Korea

The purpose of this study was to examine factors influencing college students' self-efficacy toward pregnancy planning by gender using the health belief model (HBM). Utilizing a comparative descriptive design, a total of 819 college students were recruited. A survey was administered to gather information on health beliefs related to pregnancy planning, self-efficacy toward pregnancy planning, fertility knowledge, and general characteristics. The main variables were compared by gender. The factors influencing self-efficacy toward pregnancy planning were identified using hierarchical regression analysis. Female students (476) had lower self-efficacy toward pregnancy planning than male students (343). The significant factors influencing self-efficacy toward pregnancy planning in female students were: depression (β = -0.09, p = 0.030), fertility knowledge (β = 0.08, p = 0.025), barriers (β = -0.57, p < 0.001), and cues to action (β = 0.16, p < 0.001), whereas the corresponding factors in male students were benefits (β = 0.12, p = 0.020), barriers (β = -0.44, p < 0.001), and cues to action (β = 0.16, p = 0.001). The present study confirmed the suitability of the HBM as a conceptual framework for identifying factors influencing self-efficacy toward pregnancy planning. Based on the findings of this study, gender-based similarities and differences in factors influencing self-efficacy should be considered when taking steps to promote self-efficacy toward pregnancy planning among college students.

Gendered Conceptions of Preconception Health: A Thematic Analysis of Men's and Women's Beliefs about Responsibility for Preconception Health Behavior

Preconception health (PCH) focuses on taking steps before a pregnancy to safeguard the health of the woman and future baby. Although recommendations to improve PCH target all people of reproductive age, research shows most interventions and messages focus primarily on women, which may contribute to existing normative beliefs that women are more responsible for protecting children's health. In this study, we explore society's gendered expectations of responsibility for engaging in recommended PCH behaviors (i.e., avoiding smoking, drinking, and environmental toxins). An applied thematic analysis of online survey responses from U.S. men and women (N = 573) identified five main themes and related subthemes: body and health, shared responsibility, choice and moral obligation, gender stereotypes, and doubt and uncertainty. Both men and women frequently referenced biological connections between prospective parents and offspring as justification for PCH behaviors. When challenging PCH recommendations, respondents mentioned excessive control of women and men's secondary role in reproduction. Overall, gender stereotypes were more commonly expressed in relation to men yet reflected both traditional and contemporary male roles (i.e., as supporters, co-parents). When judging personal responsibility, women commonly viewed PCH behaviors as the 'duty of a good mother'. Implications for PCH communication research and practice are discussed.

Exploring preconception health beliefs amongst adults of childbearing age in the UK: a qualitative analysis

Background

‘Preconception health’ or ‘pre-pregnancy health’ are terms used to describe the health status of males and females prior to pregnancy. The goal of preconception health strategies is to optimise the health of future offspring via improved parental health, which may result from planned/unplanned pregnancies. Greater emphasis is being placed upon preconception health amongst research and public health, yet there is limited evidence on this topic from the perspective of UK adults. This research explored beliefs, knowledge and attitudes on preconception health amongst adults of childbearing age, drawn from the UK.

Methods

A descriptive qualitative focus group study was undertaken with healthy males and females of childbearing age (18–45 years) between October 2018 and July 2019. Two groups were held in a rural location (one focus group, one mini focus group) and three groups held in an urban location (two focus groups, one mini focus group), with a range of males and females, with and without children. A semi-structured topic guide was devised based on previous literature. All groups were conducted with two researchers trained in qualitative research methods. Focus groups explored understanding/prior knowledge of preconception health, beliefs and attitudes towards preconception healthcare support and personal health. Focus groups were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Twenty-one males and females of childbearing age (aged 18 to 45 years) participated in the research. Discussions revealed a lack of comprehensive awareness of the importance of preconception health and a sense of reluctance to visit a doctor regarding the issue, favouring the internet, unless having problems conceiving. Five themes identified included: preconception education, preconception awareness, wider knowledge networks/support, optimal parental health, and attitudes/emotions towards preconception health. The roles of males regarding positive preconception care was not well understood.

Conclusions

This study highlighted a lack of detailed awareness surrounding the importance of preconception health per se, despite general agreement that health status should be optimal at this time. It identified a willingness to learn more about preconception health, creating an opportunity to improve preconception healthcare awareness via evidence-based education, social media campaigns, and within healthcare systems in a life course approach.