Principal Investigator:
Shantay Davies-Balch, MBA, CLE President and CEO, BLACK Wellness and Prosperity Center

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Background

This study will evaluate an adapted fatherhood program to enhance paternal involvement during pregnancy in Fresno, CA. Fresno County has some of the largest racial/ethnic disparities in preterm birth, particularly in the Black/African American community. Exposure to stress has emerged as one modifiable risk factor for preterm birth. Some research indicates that social support, specifically from a partner, can mitigate the deleterious effects of stress by providing additional coping strategies that buffer against the experience of stressful life events. However, to date, there is a paucity of literature describing paternal involvement during pregnancy and factors that may improve it. Further, while recommendations for paternal involvement interventions exist, to our knowledge, none have been implemented and tested in Fresno explicitly for Black men

Objective

To fill this gap, we are piloting an adapted program to address needs around paternal involvement during the perinatal period. To address pregnancy-specific issues, we reference doula support strategies given their focus on providing emotional, informational, and physical support before, during, and after pregnancy.

Method

To evaluate our work, we will use a mixed-methods approach to assess whether and how the program improves fathering knowledge, skills, self-efficacy, and knowledge of support strategies during pregnancy among 8 - 12 Black men. We will use pre/post-program assessments and focus groups to assess the program's effectiveness and acceptability.

Results

Feedback from the co-design sessions resulted in a set of adaptations that have been incorporated into the program. Doula support strategies will be incorporated through informational/Q+A sessions with a doula and video segments of Fresno-based couples sharing pregnancy experiences. Results of the program impact are forthcoming.

Conclusion