A literature review of father competencies required during the prenatal period

37^th Asia-Pacific Nursing and Medicare Summit

OCTOBER 20-21, 2017 OSAKA, JAPAN

Izumi Ueda, Naomi Okada, Madoka Yokoyama, Michiyo Hirano, Kazuko Saeki and Mariko Kawaharada

Sapporo Medical University, Japan
Japan Health Care College, Japan
Hokkaido University, Japan

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Adv Practice Nurs

Abstract :

The problem of child abuse and neglect is a serious societal issue in Japan. We began research of the development of a father support program for needs during the prenatal period to prevent child abuse and neglect. In Japan, concerns and facilities for supporting the father are few. Maternity classes for prospective fathers and mothers have been conducted by maternity hospitals or municipalities. However, the participation is voluntary and participation of fathers is limited. Further, we feel that the abilities of and support necessary for fathers during the prenatal period are not established. An objective of this study is to identify the roles and abilities required of fathers during the prenatal period through a literature review. Using the medical literature database, we searched the literature using two key terms, â�?�?fatherâ�? or â�?�?husbandâ�? and â�?�?pregnancyâ�? or â�?�?childbirthâ�? or â�?�?childcareâ�? and identified 208 papers. From these we extracted 37 papers related to Japan for the prenatal period published in the last 10 years (up to March, 2017), excluding special case-reports. The reported competencies required of fathers during the prenatal period were â�?�?knowledge and actionâ�?�?, â�?�?understanding of rolesâ�?�?, â�?�?empathyâ�?�? and â�?�?strength of the marital partnershipâ�?�?. It appears that empathy and the husband-wife relationship are strongly related and we propose that there is a need for a program to support the competencies of fathers to strengthen the empathy towards the partner, as well as develop the husband-wife relationship during the prenatal period.

Biography :

Izumi Ueda currently working as a Public Health Nurse in Japan. Currently he/she is an Associate Professor in the Nursing Department of Sapporo Medical University. His/her research themes include, identification of core-competency in home nursing care education, development nursing skill education core-curriculum, processes of home nursing care and development of father support program during prenatal period.