The effect of online education of men's reproductive health before childbearing on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of preconception health in couples: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND

Preconception is a basic period in which men's reproductive health is not given much attention. This study aimed to determine the effect of online education on men's reproductive health before conception on the knowledge and attitude of couples and preconception health behaviors in men.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eligible couples ( = 168) living in Bushehr, Iran, were randomized to receive four weekly 40-60 min sessions of men's preconception health delivered by a Ph.D. in reproductive health and general practitioner (intervention group) or no intervention (control group). The primary outcome was the knowledge and attitude of couples toward men's health before conception, and the secondary outcome was men's behaviors before having children. A researcher-made questionnaire was used before, immediately after, and 3 months after the intervention to measure the couple's knowledge, attitude, and healthy behaviors of men.

RESULTS

The mean age of the men and women participating in the study was 33.94 ± 4.37 and 29.15 ± 4.41 years, respectively, in the intervention group and 34.50 ± 5.05 and 29.81 ± 4.91 years, respectively, in the control group. Analysis of variance with repeated measures showed a statistically significant difference in the changes in the mean scores of men's and women's knowledge and attitudes regarding men's reproductive health before conception during the study period (before, immediately, and 3 months after the intervention) between the intervention and control groups ( < 0.001). In addition, generalized estimating equations showed a statistically significant difference in changes in performing health behaviors before conception in men during the study period (before and 3 months after the intervention) between the intervention and control groups.

CONCLUSION

Educational intervention is a valuable effort that can enhance fertility knowledge and improve reproductive health. Increasing fertility knowledge allows men to be actively involved in fatherhood before childbearing and begin the responsibility of fatherhood by applying the knowledge and adopting healthy behavior and lifestyle before conception.