Factors influencing adolescents’ healthy pregnancy preparation behavior: a cross-sectional gender comparison applying the health belief model

Abstract

Plain Language Summary In the context of pregnancy preparation, attention has recently shifted from the period just before pregnancy to the early years, or even throughout one’s life. The World Health Organization identifies adolescents as requiring specific attention. Adolescents’ health behaviors can impact their adulthood years and have significant repercussions on the health of the future generation. In addition, recent studies consistently report that the preparedness of both men and women is essential to pregnancy preparation. Therefore, it is now time to present a new strategy by identifying and grasping the different factors that influence the two genders. This study can raise awareness of healthy pregnancy preparation behavior from adolescence onwards of both genders. There were differences in factors affecting HPPB by gender. For healthy pregnancy preparation, interventions based on HBM constructs and smoking should be presented for both male and female adolescents. Imparting education to females on the importance of HPPB (β = 0.19, p = 0.005) and males on confidence in HPPB (β = 0.12, p = 0.401), gender equality related to pregnancy and childbirth (β = − 0.20, p = 0.001 for women’s responsibility variable, β = 0.14, p = 0.018 for men’s responsibility variable), and alcohol consumption (β = − 0.10, p = 0.022) should be emphasized; and effective healthy pregnancy preventive strategies should be developed based on these findings. Interventions to prepare for a healthy pregnancy from an early age can ensure the health of both mother and child.

Keywords

• Adolescent
• Health promotion/wellness behaviors
• Health beliefs
• Lifestyle change
• Reproductive health