Men’s knowledge of preconception care in Southern Ethiopia: magnitude and associated factors
A 2024 community-based study in Arba Minch, Southern Ethiopia, found that approximately 63% of married men possess knowledge of preconception care, a level significantly influenced by their wives' education, their own non-smoking status, adequate daily nutrition, and lower levels of loneliness.
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Before a baby is conceived, a couple's health sets the stage for the future. This period, known as preconception care, involves checking for health risks, managing chronic conditions, and adopting healthy habits like eating well and avoiding harmful substances. While public health efforts have long focused on preparing women for pregnancy, a growing body of research recognizes that men play an equally vital role. A father's health at the moment of conception influences the baby's development and the mother's well-being. Yet, in many parts of the world, including Ethiopia, the knowledge men have about their own role in this process remains largely unexplored. Understanding what fathers know—and what shapes that knowledge—is essential for building healthier families and communities.
In the town of Arba Minch, located in southern Ethiopia, researchers set out to fill this gap. They wanted to know how many married men understood the basics of preconception care and what factors helped them learn about it. Between February and March of 2024, a team of trained health workers visited households across the town. They spoke with 415 married men, asking them a series of questions about their health habits, their families, and their understanding of what it takes to prepare for a healthy pregnancy. The questions covered topics ranging from whether men should be screened for diseases like diabetes before having a child, to whether couples should discuss their family plans ahead of time.
The results revealed a promising but incomplete picture. Nearly two-thirds of the men surveyed, specifically 62.9 percent, demonstrated a solid understanding of preconception care. This means they knew that things like smoking, poor diet, and untreated health conditions could harm a future baby, and that both partners should be checked by a doctor before trying to conceive. However, the study also highlighted that a significant portion of the men still lacked this crucial information. The researchers then looked closely at the lives of these men to see what made the difference between those who knew and those who did not.
They found that a man's knowledge was not just about his own schooling or job, but was deeply tied to his family and daily life. The strongest link was with his wife's education. Men whose wives had received a formal education were more than three times as likely to be knowledgeable about preconception care compared to men whose wives had not been to school. This suggests that educated women often share health information with their partners, acting as a bridge to better family health. Beyond the home, a man's daily habits mattered greatly. Those who ate at least three meals a day were nearly three times more likely to have good knowledge than those who ate less frequently. Similarly, men who did not smoke were almost twice as likely to be informed as those who did. The study also uncovered a surprising connection to emotional well-being: men who reported feeling lonely were less likely to know about preconception care, while those with a sense of social connection were more informed.
These findings paint a clear picture of how health knowledge spreads in a community. It is not an isolated fact that a man learns in a clinic; it is woven into the fabric of his relationships, his diet, and his daily choices. The researchers noted that while many men in Arba Minch are aware of the importance of these health checks, there is still work to be done to reach everyone. The study suggests that to improve the health of future generations, public health programs should not just talk to women. They must also engage men directly, perhaps by supporting the women who educate them, promoting better nutrition, encouraging smoking cessation, and fostering social connections that keep men informed and involved in the health of their families. By addressing these specific areas, communities can help ensure that both mothers and fathers are ready for the journey of parenthood.
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