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Preconception Health: Awareness, Planning, and Communication Among a Sample of US Men and Women

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Abstract

It is important to educate both men and women about preconception health (PCH), but limited research exists in this area. This paper examines men’s and women’s awareness of exposure to PCH information and of specific PCH behaviors, PCH planning, and PCH discussions with their partners. Data from Porter Novelli’s 2007 Healthstyles survey were used. Women and men of reproductive age were included in the analysis (n = 2,736) to understand their awareness, planning, and conversations around PCH. Only 27.9% of women and men reported consistently using an effective birth control method. The majority of men (52%) and women (43%) were unaware of any exposure to PCH messages; few received information from their health care provider. Women were more aware than men of specific pre-pregnancy health behaviors. Women in the sample reported having more PCH conversations with their partners than did men. PCH education should focus on both women and men. Communication about PCH is lacking, both between couples and among men and women and their health care providers. PCH education might benefit from brand development so that consumers know what to ask for and providers know what to deliver.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge William E. Pollard, PhD and Heidi Miracle-McMahill, MPH, MS for their contributions to this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Prevention Research Branch, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Elizabeth W. Mitchell & Denise M. Levis

  2. Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN, USA

    Denise M. Levis

  3. National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Christine E. Prue

Authors
  1. Elizabeth W. Mitchell
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  2. Denise M. Levis
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  3. Christine E. Prue
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Correspondence to Elizabeth W. Mitchell.

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The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Mitchell, E.W., Levis, D.M. & Prue, C.E. Preconception Health: Awareness, Planning, and Communication Among a Sample of US Men and Women. Matern Child Health J 16, 31–39 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-010-0663-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-010-0663-y

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