The effect of birth preparation education given to fathers on their fear of childbirth

Aim: This study aims to determine the effect of birth preparation education given to fathers on their fear of childbirth. Material and Method: This study was conducted using a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test and post-test control group. The sample consisted of expectant fathers (n=128) who had no children, whose partners were primiparous, and who agreed to participate in the study, based on the records of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Clinic of an educational research hospital. The intervention group received training through an interactive card game delivered via an online platform. After the training, they were given a childbirth preparation booklet. No intervention was applied to the expectant fathers in the control group. For data collection, the researchers used the Individual Identification Form, the Fear of Childbirth Scale for Fathers, and the Childbirth Preparation Booklet, all of which were developed based on the relevant literature. Results: In the initial evaluation, there was no significant difference in the Fathers' Fear of Childbirth Scale scores between the groups before the training (p>0.05); however, after the training, a significant decrease in the Fathers' Fear of Childbirth Scale scores was observed in the intervention group compared to the control group. Conclusion: The childbirth preparation education provided to fathers was found to have a significant effect in reducing their fear of childbirth. It can be suggested that childbirth preparation education may be used as a method to reduce expectant fathers' fear.