# Paternal Health and Health Behaviors During the Perinatal Period: Results from a Representative Survey of Fathers in Georgia, 2018–2019

## TL;DR

This study explores how health and healthcare use among fathers in Georgia relates to their sociodemographic factors during the perinatal period.

## Contribution

The study is one of the first to examine paternal health behaviors and healthcare utilization in a state-representative sample.

## Key findings

- Insured fathers were more likely to have a primary care physician and healthcare visits compared to uninsured fathers.
- Fathers with higher education were more likely to report excellent health and have healthcare visits.
- Healthier fathers were more likely to have a primary care physician.

## Abstract

To investigate the associations between paternal sociodemographic characteristics, healthcare utilization and self-reported health status among a state-representative sample of fathers.

The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System for Dads pilot study sampled 857 fathers in Georgia from October 2018-July 2019. It surveyed fathers 2–6 months after their infants’ birth to assess paternal experiences and behaviors during the perinatal period. Multivariable logistic regression examined associations between paternal characteristics and three outcomes: having a primary care physician (PCP), having any personal healthcare visit, and self-reported health status.

Among 266 respondents, 53.9% reported having a PCP, 46.2% reported any healthcare visit, and 65.2% reported very good or excellent health. Insured fathers were more likely to have a PCP (65.6% vs. 26.6%; adjusted Prevalence Ratio [aPR] = 2.47, 95% CI 1.41–4.33) and a healthcare visit (59.9% vs. 21.5%; aPR = 2.60, 95% CI 1.30–5.22) than fathers who were uninsured. Fathers with a college degree or higher were more likely to have a healthcare visit (59.4% vs. % 39.3%; aPR = 1.68, 95% CI 1.13–2.49), and to report very good or excellent health (79.1% vs. % 52.2%; aPR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.16–1.98) than fathers with a high school diploma/GED or less. Fathers reporting very good or excellent health were more likely to have a PCP (59.9% vs. 42.1%); aPR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.02–1.99) than fathers reporting fair or good health.

Fathers’ participation in healthcare was suboptimal. Identifying barriers impacting men’s interactions with the healthcare system is essential to develop strategies to improve the overall health of fathers and families.

What is Already Known on this Subject?

What this Study Adds?

Men have lower healthcare engagement and utilization compared with women, which may lead to adverse health outcomes for men who are fathers, their partners, and their infants.

Our findings highlight the interrelationship between fathers’ health and access to and use of health and healthcare services during the perinatal period. Examining the impact of these health measures on fathers may lead to innovative approaches to improve paternal and family health.