Authors: (including presenting author): :
CHOI PS (1) CHAN WL (1)
Affiliation: :
(1) School of Midwifery, Prince of Wales Hospital
Keyword 1: :
Study/ research
Keyword 2: :
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Keyword 4: :
antenatal/ prenatal
Introduction: :
Paternal mental health is an under-recognized determinant of perinatal family well-being. In Hong Kong, antenatal services are predominantly mother-centered, with minimal structured support for expectant fathers. Father-Connect is the first culturally tailored, evidence-based antenatal workshop designed for first-time expectant fathers in the public healthcare system. By providing practical caregiving skills and enhancing emotional preparedness, this initiative addresses a critical service gap and promotes a family-inclusive model of perinatal care.
Objectives: :
- To evaluate whether the Father-Connect antenatal workshop reduces depressive and anxiety symptoms among first-time expectant fathers compared with usual antenatal care. - To assess changes in perceived paternal preparedness for parenting and partner support following participation in the Father-Connect workshop. - To explore the feasibility of integrating a father-exclusive antenatal workshop into routine maternity care in Hong Kong.
Methodology: :
A two-arm, parallel-group, RCT will be conducted at the School of Midwifery. A total of 176 first-time expectant fathers will be recruited and randomized 1:1 using concealed allocation. The intervention group will attend a single, standardized 2-hour Father-Connect workshop facilitated by midwife educators, and the control group will receive usual antenatal care without father-specific content. The curriculum includes practical newborn care, partner support, financial planning, and guided communication exercises to enhance emotional readiness. Primary outcomes are the Chinese Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), assessed at baseline, immediately post-workshop, and 6 weeks postpartum. Secondary outcomes include perceived paternal preparedness and intervention satisfaction. The study is powered at 80% (α=0.05) to detect a 2.09-point EPDS difference, allowing for 10% attrition, and analyses will follow intention-to-treat principles using linear mixed-effects models with adjustment for baseline scores and key covariates.
Result & Outcome: :
This intervention provides an innovative, integrated approach to supporting paternal mental health within routine perinatal services. Using midwifery expertise and a manualized, gender-specific format, the Father-Connect workshop is clinically feasible, scalable, and suitable for consistent delivery across public hospitals. Its concise, structured design supports broader implementation within the Hospital Authority’s antenatal care framework. Findings from this RCT will generate locally relevant evidence on a father-exclusive antenatal intervention in a Chinese cultural context. If effective, this low-resource, single-session workshop offers a practical template for embedding paternal support into standard maternity care, promoting gender-inclusive practice and enhancing family well-being.
