Abstract Background and purpose: Paternal-fetal attachment behaviors areexpectantfather’s feelingtowards his unborn baby. These behaviors play very important roles in paternal identity, pregnancy outcome, and future growth and development of the baby. The severities of these behaviors are different between fathers and depend on many factors. The aim of this study was to assess paternal-fetal attachment behavior and some related factors. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 12 health centers affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Four hundred expectant fathers who had wives in their 20-40thweeks of pregnancy were selected. Data was collected through aself-structured questionnaire and the paternal fetal attachment scale. Pearsoncorrelation, ANOVA, and t-test were applied to analyze the data. Results: Findings showed that factors such as ethnic groups, higher education, gestational age, planned pregnancy, baby’sgender, and attendingultrasound scans hadsignificant effects on paternal-fetal attachment. Previous marriage, fetal anomaly, tobacco use, multiparty and high risk pregnancy resulted in lower paternal attachment to the fetus.Norelationship was found between paternal-fetal attachment and being married to a relative, infertilityhistory, previous intrauterine fetal death or abortion, type of ultrasound, and attending prenatal classes. Conclusion: According to the factors influencing paternal-fetal attachments, enhancing the level of prenatal care by providing training and consultationswill help expectant fathers to accept their roles more easily and act more supportive towards their wives.

Keywords: attachment, paternal, fetal, predictors

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