Health behaviours of Australian men and the likelihood of attending a dedicated men’s health service

Abstract

BackgroundRedesigning primary health services may enhance timely and effective uptake by men. The primary aim of this study was to assess the likelihood of Australian men attending a dedicated men’s health service (DMHS). The further aims were to better understand the reasons for their preferences and determine how health behaviours influence likelihood.MethodsA survey on health service use and preferences, health help-seeking behaviours, and the likelihood of attending a DMHS was administered by telephone to 1506 randomly selected men (median age 56 years, range 19–95). Likelihood of attending a DMHS was rated using a single item Likert scale where 0 was not at all likely and 10 highly likely. Respondents were classified by age (< or > = 65 years) and health status. Principal component analyses were used to define health behaviours, specifically help-seeking and delay/avoidance regarding visiting a doctor. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were used to examine predictors of likelihood of attending a DMHS.ResultsThe mean likelihood of attending a DMHS was 5.8 (SD 3.3, median 6, moderate likelihood) and 21%, 26% and 23% of men rated likelihood as moderate, high and very high respectively. Being happy with their existing doctor was the most common reason (52%) for being less likely to attend a DMHS. In unadjusted analyses, younger men reported being more likely to attend a DMHS (p < 0.001) with older-sick men reporting being least likely (p < 0.001). Younger men were more likely than older men to score higher on delay/avoidance and were more likely to self-monitor. In the full model, men with current health concerns (p ≤ 0.01), who scored higher on delay/avoidance (p ≤ 0.0006), who were more likely to be information-seekers (p < 0.0001) and/or were motivated to change their health (p ≤ 0.0001) reported a higher likelihood of attending a DMHS irrespective of age and health status.ConclusionsSeventy percent of men reported a moderate or higher likelihood of attending a DMHS. As young healthy men are more likely than older men to display health behaviours that are associated with a higher likelihood of attending a DHMS, such as delay/avoidance, marketing a DMHS to such men may be of value.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-018-5992-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Profile of nursing graduates: competencies and professional insertion

“…Unlike programs that have historically achieved advances, such as maternal and child health, the man’s health program is a recent policy, necessitating, therefore, strategies that will qualify future nurses to intervene in the health of this population. In this sense, studies ( 26 - 27 ) have indicated low adherence of men to health services, which raises, in the undergraduate curricular strategies transversal on the health of the man and programs of permanent education in service.…”

Underutilization of primary medical care among men presenting for fertility evaluation

“…However, the current data provide a rationale for incorporation of reproductive urology into the men's health center umbrella. This is particularly important, as prior studies have demonstrated that men are more likely to engage with the healthcare system when offered the opportunity for treatment at a dedicated men's health clinic (25). We also found that semen parameters, including TMSC, were slightly higher among men reporting an established PCP, although the statistical significance of this comparison decreased upon sensitivity analysis.…”

The socio-ecological determinants of help-seeking practices and healthcare access among young men: a systematic review

“…The decision for men to formally seek health information or services is often delayed by a period of self-monitoring and is dependent on the perceived seriousness of the symptoms experienced ( Smith et al ., 2008a ; Yousaf et al , 2015 ; Adam et al ., 2019 ). When men do attend health services, they seek support later in their illness, leave significant health issues unattended and are more likely to somatize psychological concerns ( Vincent et al ., 2018 ). These patterns of engagement with health services appear to be especially prominent amongst young men ( Rickwood et al ., 2005 ; Rice and Baker, 2017 ; Vincent et al ., 2018 ).…”

“…When men do attend health services, they seek support later in their illness, leave significant health issues unattended and are more likely to somatize psychological concerns ( Vincent et al ., 2018 ). These patterns of engagement with health services appear to be especially prominent amongst young men ( Rickwood et al ., 2005 ; Rice and Baker, 2017 ; Vincent et al ., 2018 ).…”

“…Despite experiencing high rates of psychological distress and suicide, young men are less likely than older men to value preventative mental healthcare practices and have among the lowest rates of professional help-seeking for mental health of any group across the lifespan ( Rickwood et al ., 2005 ; Burke and McKeon, 2007 ; Judd et al ., 2012 ; Rasmussen et al , 2018 ; Rice et al ., 2018a ; Rice et al , 2018b ; Smith et al ., 2023 ). Similarly, research considering the distinct attitudes and behaviours of young men in relation to managing their physical health suggests that young men often adopt norms and practices that hinder disease prevention and early detection ( Vincent et al ., 2018 ; Smith et al ., 2023 ). Notably, a trend of disengagement from health services for men often begins during adolescence and persists through adulthood ( Smith et al , 2006 ; Marcell et al ., 2007 ).…”