TABLE 2.

Programmatic Suggestions for Father-Focused Interventions Designed to Support Adolescents

Topic	Issue	Programmatic Suggestions
Feasibility and acceptability of communication about condoms	Paternal influence is robust in adolescent sexual decision-making.	Let fathers know they can influence their sons’ sexual decision-making. Introduce father-son communication as an important strategy to support male adolescents’ SRH. Provide fathers with specific monitoring and supervision techniques for supporting adolescent sons’ SRH.
	Specific versus general content of father-son communication about condom use increases the likelihood of shaping adolescent sexual decision-making.	Encourage fathers to provide comprehensive sex education, including specific guidance on consistent and correct condom use and abstinence. Help fathers address the reasons why teenagers engage in sex and refrain from using condoms instead of focusing exclusively on the negative health and social outcomes of unprotected sex.
	The timing and style of father-son communication about condom use shapes adolescent sexual decision-making.	Advise fathers on techniques on how best to initiate conversations about condom use. Explain to fathers that frequent and ongoing communication increases adolescent and father comfort during communication about sex. Encourage fathers to regularly “check in” with their sons regarding any challenges they are having with using condoms and broader SRH issues.
	Father role modeling and gender norms regarding “masculinity” influence adolescent sons’ sexual decision-making.	Help fathers to role model healthy behaviors and provide specific guidance on the meaning of “responsible manhood.” Encourage fathers to engage in regular shared activities to foster spending quality time with their sons. Support fathers to discuss with their sons how traditional male gender norms may impact unhealthy SRH behaviors.
Overcoming communication barriers	Asymmetric perceptions about initiating communication	Endorse fathers taking the lead in initiating conversations about condom use with their sons. Support fathers with specific direct and indirect strategies for discussing SRH with their adolescent sons.
	Paternal knowledge and skill gaps	Provide learning opportunities for fathers to acquire greater knowledge and skills in teaching their sons about consistent and correct condom use and how to manage common condom use errors and problems.
	Relationship maintenance with their sons (communication discomfort, fear to intrude, fear to offend, respect for son’s privacy)	Advise fathers to initiate conversations during shared activities and in a 1-on-1 setting that fosters confidentiality. Remind fathers that honesty, appropriate self-disclosure, and mutual respect make communication more effective. Encourage fathers to have regular conversations about condom use and SRH with their sons. Endorse the use of both direct and indirect methods for initiating conversations about condom use with their sons.
Teaching and learning about condom use: preferences and needs	Adolescents want specific guidance with regard to condom use errors and problems.	Encourage fathers to teach their sons how to manage common condom use errors and problems; specific guidance is more useful than general feedback. Encourage fathers to offer to support their sons with accessing condoms and scheduling checkups with their primary care provider or an SRH service.
	Adolescents want experiential instruction and demonstrations of correct condom use.	Emphasize the importance of making condoms available to their sons. Encourage fathers to demonstrate correct condom use to their sons; experiential practice and use of teaching resources such as videos and actual model demonstrations are optimal. Advise fathers to encourage their sons to practice correct condom use on their own in a private place and before actually having sex; behavioral rehearsal improves condom use efficacy.
	Paternal self-disclosure shapes adolescent sexual decision-making.	Endorse appropriate self-disclosure as a means for building a strong relationship with their son. Let fathers know that their son is looking up to them and values their opinion and real-life experiences.
	Fathers need education regarding consistent and correct condom use.	Provide educational sessions to fathers in consistent and correct condom use and common condom use errors and problems. Provide fathers with informational resources such as brief videos, brochures, and father-specific resources designed to foster paternal knowledge and skills. Make fathers aware of available medically accurate digital and online SRH resources.
	Amplifying the intergenerational benefit of father-son communication about sex	Address fathers’ own misconceptions and errors regarding condom use. Endorse joint father-son visits to SRH care services. Remind fathers that their actions and behaviors as a male role model have a direct impact on their son’s decision-making and behavior. Remind fathers to emphasize that becoming a man means making responsible decisions.