Prenatal consultations for expectant fathers: a tool for accessing the healthcare system
Introduction – A prenatal consultation specifically for expectant fathers was implemented at Montreuil Hospital between 2021 and 2022. The goal was to re-engage men in the healthcare system during their partner’s pregnancy (the Partage project). We have previously demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of this consultation. Here, we examine its effects in terms of diagnoses and care. Materials and Methods – In 2021–2022, all fathers of unborn children at the Montreuil maternity ward whose partners agreed to their being contacted were invited to a medical consultation that included laboratory tests, vaccination updates, access to a multidisciplinary team, and a general practitioner. Here, we examine the effects of this consultation on medical diagnoses, vaccination coverage, HIV screening, integration into care, and social support. Results – Among 1,347 participants, 18% were diagnosed with a medical condition or a previously untreated illness that was brought back into care (grouped under the term “medical diagnosis”), 17% were referred to a healthcare professional and 11% to a social worker; 44% received vaccination updates (diphtheria-tetanus-polio-pertussis – DTPc: 40%; measles-mumps-rubella – MMR: 17%). The factor most strongly and positively associated with all these impact indicators was the lack of health insurance coverage: among participants without health insurance coverage, 41% received a medical diagnosis, 41% were referred to a healthcare provider, 72% to a social worker, and 73% received one or more vaccination updates. HIV testing was accepted by 99% of eligible fathers. Discussion – In terms of diagnoses, re-engagement in care, referrals, and vaccination updates, the primary beneficiaries of the consultation were immigrants in precarious situations. In the general study population, vaccination coverage against pathogens causing serious infections in newborns was improved, and prenatal HIV testing was extended to fathers. Conclusion – Scaling up a prenatal consultation offered to all expectant fathers could help reduce the spread of measles and pertussis, prevent rare primary HIV infections occurring during pregnancy, and reduce social health inequalities by providing men who are otherwise excluded from the healthcare system with effective access to care.
Author(s): Penot Pauline, Jacob Gaëlle, Guerizec Audrey, Letembet Valérie-Anne, Harich Raya, Mendes de Sousa Miguel, Simon Anne, Manuellan Pierre-Étienne, Yazdanpanah Yazdan, Desgrées du Loû Annabel
Publishing year: 2025
Pages: 149-162
Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2025, n° 9, p. 149-162
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