Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 8, 2026
A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
First-time fathers' inclusion in, and engagement with, perinatal primary care: An integrative review
Richard Pascal1, Fatch Kalembo1, Lesley Kuliukas1
1School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Western Australia, Australia.
Insights
First-time fathers need better inclusion in perinatal primary care, as current services often overlook their unique needs. Strategies like postnatal home visits show promise, but systemic issues require further attention for effective engagement.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal healthcare
- Primary care services
- Fatherhood research
Background:
- Global engagement of fathers with perinatal healthcare services is low.
- First-time fathers have unique support needs and higher distress levels.
- Primary care's role in supporting first-time fathers is under-researched.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the inclusion and engagement of first-time fathers in perinatal primary care.
- To assess the feasibility of engaging first-time fathers through primary care pathways.
Main Methods:
- Integrative review of international peer-reviewed and grey literature.
- Analysis of 33 studies involving 3712 first-time fathers.
Main Results:
- Barriers to engagement include mother-focused care, mistrust, provider workload, and systemic issues.
- Provider-initiated interactions and postnatal home visits show promise for engagement.
- First-time fathers constitute a significant proportion (46%) of fathers in perinatal primary care.
Conclusions:
- Lack of father-specific data and systemic barriers limit effective engagement strategies.
- Universal services may overlook the specific needs of first-time fathers.
- Further research on parent and provider views is crucial for developing inclusive care models.
Problem:
Research about first-time fathers' inclusion in, and engagement with, perinatal primary care is limited.
Background:
Globally, fathers' engagement with perinatal healthcare services is low. First-time fathers experience more distress, have unique support needs and are more willing to engage with perinatal healthcare than experienced fathers. Yet, primary care's role in supporting perinatal first-time fathers has received little research attention.
Aim:
To examine first-time fathers' inclusion in, and engagement with, perinatal primary care and the feasibility of engaging them through primary care pathways.
Methods:
Integrative review of international peer-reviewed and grey literature.
Findings:
Thirty-three studies (16 quantitative, 13 qualitative, 4 mixed-methods) were included, comprising 3712 first-time fathers. Almost half (46 %) of the fathers in 19 suitable studies were first-time fathers. Parents' perceived barriers to father engagement included providers being mother-focused and fathers' mistrust of providers. Provider barriers included father absence, perceived father disinterest, workload and low managerial support. Promising strategies for engagement included provider-initiated interactions with fathers and postnatal home visits. Systemic barriers received limited attention.
Discussion:
The lack of complete father-specific data in several studies hindered the review process and limited the strength of conclusions. Since first-time fathers may comprise about half of fathers in perinatal primary care, universal services risk overlooking their specific needs. While strategies like postnatal home visits show promise for father engagement, limited consensus about engagement strategies and unaddressed systemic issues may limit their effectiveness.
Conclusion:
Further research exploring parents' and providers' views is required to guide more effective father-inclusive care. Engaging first-time fathers in primary care must go beyond practical strategies and address deeper systemic issues.
More Related Videos
06:16Involving Individuals with Developmental Language Disorder and Their Parents/Carers in Research Priority Setting
Published on: June 6, 2020
05:04A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
Published on: September 22, 2023
Related Concept Videos
00:55Parental Care
01:14Fetal Circulation
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
01:18Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-II
Physical Therapist
A physical therapist (PT) aims to restore function or prevent additional impairment in a patient following an injury or disease. Massage, heat, cold, water, sonar waves, exercises, and electrical stimulation are some treatments used by PTs to treat...
01:21Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-I
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution...
01:30Primary Healthcare Services
In 1978, international leaders convened in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, for what would be a pivotal event in global health. The Alma-Ata Declaration was the first to call...
01:13Patient-centered Care