Investigating the Reasons for Not Referring Men to Health Centers to Receive Health Services

Abstract

Introduction: A healthy society requires a healthy family. Studies have shown that men are more affected by the disease than women, and their mortality rate is higher than women. However, many men do not go to health centers to receive health services, so this study was conducted to investigate why men do not go to health centers. Method: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in 2020 on 380 men over 18. Data were collected using a two-part questionnaire including demographic questions and factors affecting men's lack of referral to health centers. The sampling method was multi-stage. Data analysis was performed by SPSS16 statistical software using an independent t-test, analysis of variance, and Scheffe post hoc tests. Results: According to the results of the study, non-referral to the centers had a significant relationship with ethnicity (p = 0.023) and level of education (p < 0.001). At the same time, there was no significant relationship between age, marriage, economic status, or occupation (p> 0.05). The inadequate physical condition of health centers (82.95 ±14.67) and lack of trust in health personnel (82.95 ±14.67) of the most important, as well as insufficient information and knowledge (61.22 ± 25.37). The least important factors were the lack of referral of men to health centers. Conclusion: According to the findings, the need to improve the physical condition of the centers and confidentiality, the confidentiality of information, proper treatment of people, and enhancing personnel skills is important. These cases have been suggested to health managers so that with appropriate policies and planning, we can see an increase in the number of men going to the centers.

Challenges of middle-aged men in utilizing new health services from primary health care providers' perspective: a qualitative study

“…This means the existence of an information system aimed at providing health-therapeutic services [ 25 ]. Poor system of information registration and follow-up was identified as another reason for middle-aged men’s refusal to visit health service centers.…”

“…This means the role of health staff and mass media in informing people and introducing services [ 25 ].…”

“…From most of the participants’ point of view, personal barriers were recognized as one of the most important reasons middle-aged men did not refer to use new health services. The following factors have been cited in the literature as the ones contributing to men’s failure in referring to receive health services: the issue of macho pride, socio-economic problems, not feeling the need for care, lack of awareness of the need for care, ethnic and racial differences, men’s concern about confidentiality, views related to gender norms, religion and spirituality, addiction, and (mis)beliefs and false beliefs have been mentioned in the non-referral of men to [ 4 , 25 , 45 , 46 ]. One of the barriers that health workers cited as a factor in preventing middle-aged men from seeking new health services was that the working hours of the health care facilities were concurrent with the working hours of these men.…”

“…One of the barriers that health workers cited as a factor in preventing middle-aged men from seeking new health services was that the working hours of the health care facilities were concurrent with the working hours of these men. In their study on the reasons of men’s reluctance to participate in family planning programs, Fathnezhad Kazemi et al [ 46 ] and Hosseini et al [ 25 ] concluded that the working hours of the centers did not match the men’s free time. Ramezani Tehrani et al [ 9 ] conducted a qualitative study in Tehran and proposed that having multiple jobs and not having enough time is two of the most important health barriers that prevent men from thinking of their health as a priority, which is consistent with the results of the present study.…”

“…Although more susceptible to certain types of diseases, men do not tend to use primary health care, and studies have shown that compared with women, men are less likely to refer to care systems for receiving care [ 4 , 22 , 24 ]. In addition, the referral of middle-aged men to health centers in Iran is not based on a suitable approach, and the referral index of this age group for receiving basic health care is also low [ 25 ]. Statistics show that more than 7 years after the implementation of the health transformation plan in Iran, only 18% of middle-aged men in Shoushtar city have received modern health services.…”