A birth education program for expectant fathers in Taiwan: effects on their anxiety.
BACKGROUND
A father who does not know how to assist the mother in relieving labor pains may experience a sense of powerlessness and anxiety. The objective of this study was to evaluate how an education program for expectant fathers who attended their partners' labor and birth affected their anxiety.


METHODS
In a randomized controlled trial, 87 expectant fathers who attended their pregnant partners through labor and birth at a hospital in central Taiwan were allocated by block randomization to an experimental (n = 45) and a control (n = 42) group. The men completed their basic personal information, a childbirth expectations questionnaire, and a Trait Anxiety Inventory when they were recruited. Two hours after birth of their child, all the expectant fathers completed a State of Anxiety Inventory.


RESULTS
Our results showed no statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups of fathers in trait anxiety and their prenatal childbirth expectations. After analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was applied to correct for education level, sources of childbirth information, attendance at Lamaze childbirth classes, and childbirth expectations at baseline, the effect of the childbirth program was significant for the postnatal level of anxiety (F = 3.38, p = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The study findings justify the clinical implementation of a birth education program based on the self-efficacy theory as an effective means of reducing anxiety among expectant fathers.
Li
Hsin-Tzu
HT
Labor and Delivery ward, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua City, Taiwan.
Lin
Kuan-Chia
KC
Chang
Shu-Chen
SC
Kao
Chien-Huei
CH
Liu
Chieh-Yu
CY
Kuo
Su-Chen
SC
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003479:Curriculum; D005220:Fathers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009321:Natural Childbirth / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011582:Psychological Theory; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan