Document Type : Original Article
Authors
- . Zeinab Rabiei 1
- . Mohammad Shariati 2
- . Naser Mogharabian 3
- . Rahim Tahmasebi 4
- . Ashraf Ghiasi 5
- . Zahra Motaghi 6
1 Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
2 Department of Community Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Clinical Sciences, Sexual Health and Fertility Research Center, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
4 Department of Biostatistics, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
5 Department of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
6 Department of Reproductive Health, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Male reproductive health is a necessary pillar of childbearing. If a reproductive health
assessment is conducted in the preconception period, the chance of a healthy pregnancy can increase.
This qualitative study aimed to explore men’s reproductive health needs before conception in Iran.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research was a qualitative study conducted in Bushehr city, Iran
to explore men’s reproductive health needs from April 2021 to November 2021. 30 semistructured
interviews were conducted with married men, women, healthcare providers, and specialists individually
in the health centers. The sampling method used in this study was purpose‑based with maximum
variety. All interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim in Persian and analyzed
using directional content analysis. MAXQDA software version 12 was used to facilitate data analysis.
RESULTS: From the data analysis, 2 themes, 15 categories, and 38 subcategories emerged. The
themes included evaluation and health promotion recommendations. It consisted of 10 categories:
reproductive life plan evaluation, medical history evaluation, family and genetic history evaluation,
social history evaluation, sexual health evaluation, medication evaluation, laboratory evaluation,
physical examination, lifestyle evaluation, and mental health evaluation. Health promotion
recommendations included five categories: nutritional recommendations, stress management,
avoiding harmful behaviors, protective measures against harmful exposure, and need for education.
CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that men need a comprehensive evaluation of reproductive
health and recommendations to improve their health in the preconception period. Our study findings
can inform healthcare providers to increase men’s participation in reproductive health.
Keywords
Male involvement in reproductive, maternal and child health:
A qualitative study of policymaker and practitioner perspectives
in the Pacific. Reprod Health 2016;13:1‑11.
2. Wood S. Sexual and reproductive health for all. Reducing poverty
advancing development and protecting human rights. UNFPA; 2010.
3. WHO. A Global Handbook For Providers. Updated 3rd ed. 2018.
4. Shahjahan M, Mumu SJ, Afroz A, Chowdhury HA, Kabir R,
Ahmed K. Determinants of male participation in reproductive
healthcare services: A cross‑sectional study. Reprod Health
2013;10:1‑6.
5. Hussein N, Kai J, Qureshi N. The effects of preconception
interventions on improving reproductive health and pregnancy
outcomes in primary care: A systematic review. Eur J Gen Pract
2016;22:42‑52.
6. Choiriyyah I, Sonenstein FL, Astone NM, Pleck JH, Dariotis JK,
Marcell AV. Men aged 15–44 in need of preconception care.
Matern Child Health J 2015;19:2358‑65.
7. Kotelchuck M, Lu M. Father’s role in preconception health. Matern
Child Health J 2017;21:2025‑39.
8. Sabouri M, Shakibazadeh E, Mohebbi B, Tol A, Yaseri M, Babaee S.
Effectiveness of an educational intervention using theory of
planned behavior on health care empowerment among married
reproductive‑age women: A randomized controlled trial. J Educ
Health Promot 2020:9:293.
9. Assarroudi A, Heshmati Nabavi F, Armat MR, Ebadi A,
Vaismoradi M. Directed qualitative content analysis: The
description and elaboration of its underpinning methods and
data analysis process. J Res Nurs 2018;23:42‑55.
10. Philipp Mayring. Qualitative content analysis: theoretical
foundation, basic procedures and software solution.2014, Primary
Publication, location is Klagenfurt,143 p. Klagenfurt. https://
nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-395173.
11. Malnory ME, Johnson TS. The reproductive life plan as a strategy
to decrease poor birth outcomes. J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs
2011;40:109‑21.
12. Warner JN, Frey KA. The well‑man visit: Addressing a man’s
health to optimize pregnancy outcomes. J Am Board Fam Med
2013;26:196‑202.
13. Frey KA. Male reproductive health and infertility. Prim Care Clin
Office Prac 2010;37:643‑52.
14. Stern E, Pascoe L, Shand T, Richmond S. Lessons learned from
engaging men in sexual and reproductive health as clients,
partners and advocates of change in the Hoima district of Uganda.
Cult Health Sex 2015;17(sup 2):190‑205.
15. Shawe J, Patel D, Joy M, Howden B, Barrett G, Stephenson J.
Preparation for fatherhood: A survey of men’s preconception
health knowledge and behaviour in England. PLoS One
2019;14:e0213897.
16. Short WR, Simone JM, Chakraborty R, Finocchario‑Kessler S,
Team HPCS. Addressing fertility desires and preconception care
needs of men living with HIV: Perspectives from HIV providers
about addressing the reproductive needs of male patients. AIDS
Care 2021;33:80‑5.
17. Zagaria MAE. Male preconception health: Impact of age,
medications, and other exposures. US Pharm 2016;41:15‑7.
18. Choe JH, Han JY. Preconception care for men. J Korean Soc Matern
Child Health 2016;20:1‑11.
19. Fleming TP, Watkins AJ, Velazquez MA, Mathers JC, Prentice AM,
Stephenson J, et al. Origins of lifetime health around the time of
conception: Causes and consequences. Lancet 2018;391:1842‑52.
20. Heslehurst N, Vieira R, Akhter Z, Bailey H, Slack E, Ngongalah L,
et al. The association between maternal body mass index and
child obesity: A systematic review and meta‑analysis. PLoS Med
2019;16:e1002817.
21. Bodin M, Käll L, Tydén T, Stern J, Drevin J, Larsson M. Exploring
men’s pregnancy‑planning behaviour and fertility knowledge: A
survey among fathers in Sweden. Ups J Med Sci 2017;122:127‑35.
22. Buzi RS, Smith PB. Access to sexual and reproductive health
care services: Young men’s perspectives. J Sex Marital Ther
2014;40:149‑57.
23. Hajizadeh M, Javadnoori M, Javadifar N. Educational needs of
adult men regarding sexual and reproductive health in Ahvaz,
Iran. J Midwifery Reproductive Health 2015;3:385‑93.
24. Pregnancy and pre‑conception. British Nutrition Foundation.
Available from: https://www nutrition.org.uk/nutritionscience/
life/pregnancy‑and‑pre‑conception.html?start=1. [Last accessed
on 2019 Apr 16].
25. Hammarberg K, Zosel R, Comoy C, Robertson S, Holden C,
DeeksM, et al. Fertility‑related knowledge and information‑seeking
behaviour among people of reproductive age: A qualitative study.
Hum Fertil 2017;20:88‑95
26. Hviid Malling GM, Schmidt L, Pitsillos T, Hammarberg K,
Tydén T, Friberg B, et al. Taking fertility for granted–a qualitative
exploration of fertility awareness among young, childless men
in Denmark and Sweden. Hum Fertil (Camb) 2020;1-12. doi:
10.1080/14647273.2020.1798516.
27. Hoh J‑K, Park M‑I. The concepts and necessity of preconception
care for men. J Korean Med Assoc 2011;54:808‑17.
28. Kheirabadi G, Shirani M, Keshvari M, Sharifirad G, Bahrami M.
The effect of training program of health promotion behaviors
on geriatric general health components. J Educ Health Promot
2021;10:482.
)