Introduction: A focus on the health behaviours of Australian males before fatherhood, during the preconception period, is a public health issue which remains under reported in the research literature. Addressing these behaviours, using preconception care, should be a priority due to the potential health influences relevant to adverse pregnancy and offspring outcomes. This study draws upon the largest national all male-cohort study - Ten to Men (TTM) - to examine the preconception health status and preconception health behaviours of Australian males, before they become first-time fathers, to identify their preconception health needs and to provide them with effective preconception care.
Methods: Data from TTM Australian longitudinal study on male health, conducted over four waves, was analysed. First-time fathers were identified from each wave and their health behaviours were then analysed from the previous waves, to determine their health and health behaviours during preconception. Frequencies and proportions were reported according to being a first-time father. Chi-square tests were utilised to determine any statistical difference between first-time fathers and others. An α-value was set 0.05. Backwards stepwise logistic regression was conducted to provide a model for predicting characteristics of first-time fathers.
Results: A total of 572 adult males from all waves reported being a father for the first-time. Males who became fathers for the first-time were less likely to meet the recommended guidelines for moderate physical activity (aOR 0.63; 95% CI 0.52-0.76) or the guidelines for vigorous physical activity (0.66; 0.48-0.90) than others. Males who became fathers for the first-time were more likely to meet the recommended guidelines for daily safe alcohol consumption (1.44; 1.09-1.91) than others and more often reported being overweight before conception (31.8%) compared with others (27.6%) (p=0.002).
Discussion: This study has identified several paternal preconception health behaviours that warrant action from clinicians, public health agencies and policymakers, particularly with regards to alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and being overweight. Addressing these issues increases the potential health of not only men during their reproductive years, but also their families and subsequent generations.
Conclusion: The findings of this study highlight the importance of future public research and public health initiatives which can address the preconception health behaviours of Australian males to mitigate health risks associated with pregnancy and offspring outcomes.