Health literacy among fathers and fathers-to-be: a multi-country, cross-sectional survey

Karen Wynter^{1

2}, Vanessa Watkins², Shane Kavanagh³, Sarah Hosking⁴, Bodil Rasmussen^{2

5

6

7}, Helle Terkildsen Maindal⁸, Jacqui Macdonald^{9

10

11}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Level 3, P Block, 246 Clayton Road, Clatyon, Victoria, 3168, Australia.
² School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia.
³ School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia.
⁴ The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, School of Medicine, 199 Ryrie Street Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia.
⁵ Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute for Health Transformation (IHT) - Western Health Partnership, Deakin University, Sunshine Hospital, 176 Furlong Road, St Albans, Victoria, 3021, Australia.
⁶ Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, Copenhagen, 2200, Denmark.
⁷ Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark and Steno Diabetes Center, Campusvej 55, Odense, 5230, Denmark.
⁸ Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Alle 2, 2. sal, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark.
⁹ Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia.
¹⁰ Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
¹¹ Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.

PMID: 37851463
PMCID: PMC10583760
DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daad131

Health literacy among fathers and fathers-to-be: a multi-country, cross-sectional survey

Karen Wynter et al. Health Promot Int. 2023.

. 2023 Oct 1;38(5):daad131.

doi: 10.1093/heapro/daad131.

Authors

Karen Wynter^{1

2}, Vanessa Watkins², Shane Kavanagh³, Sarah Hosking⁴, Bodil Rasmussen^{2

5

6

7}, Helle Terkildsen Maindal⁸, Jacqui Macdonald^{9

10

11}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Level 3, P Block, 246 Clayton Road, Clatyon, Victoria, 3168, Australia.
² School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia.
³ School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia.
⁴ The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Deakin University, School of Medicine, 199 Ryrie Street Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia.
⁵ Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research in the Institute for Health Transformation (IHT) - Western Health Partnership, Deakin University, Sunshine Hospital, 176 Furlong Road, St Albans, Victoria, 3021, Australia.
⁶ Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 3B, Copenhagen, 2200, Denmark.
⁷ Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark and Steno Diabetes Center, Campusvej 55, Odense, 5230, Denmark.
⁸ Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Bartholins Alle 2, 2. sal, Aarhus, 8000, Denmark.
⁹ Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia.
¹⁰ Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
¹¹ Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.

PMID: 37851463
PMCID: PMC10583760
DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daad131

Abstract

During pregnancy and early fatherhood, men are at higher risk of poor health, exacerbated by low engagement by healthcare services. Yet the transition to fatherhood presents an opportunity for men to improve their health and health behaviours. Health literacy refers to individuals' competence in accessing and applying health information. Poor health literacy is associated with poor health and low help-seeking. The aim of this study was to identify health literacy strengths, needs and profiles among fathers. Men who were expecting a baby ('antenatal') or had become fathers in the past 18 months ('postnatal') were recruited through an international, online paid survey platform. The survey included the nine-scale Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ). Of 889 survey respondents (n = 416, 46.5% antenatal; n = 473, 53.5% postnatal), 274 (31.0%) were residing in the USA and 239 (27.0%) in the UK. Relatively higher scores were reported for HLQ scales relating to having sufficient information and finding and understanding this information, as well as social support for health. Relatively lower scores were obtained for scales relating to actively managing one's own health and navigating the health care system. Three scale scores were significantly lower among nulliparous than multiparous men. Seven health literacy profiles were identified. In conclusion, while fathers have some health literacy strengths, they also experience some barriers, particularly first-time fathers. Awareness of diverse health literacy profiles among fathers may assist in developing strategies to strengthen health services' capacity to meet fathers' needs and reduce risks to their health at this critical juncture in families' lives.

Keywords: health literacy; health service settings; men; parent.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

References

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Health literacy among fathers and fathers-to-be: a multi-country, cross-sectional survey

Affiliations

Health literacy among fathers and fathers-to-be: a multi-country, cross-sectional survey

Authors

Affiliations

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

References

MeSH terms

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