In addition, semi-structured in-depth interviews were used to explore factors influencing men's use of health care facilities. They pointed out a number of factors that facilitate or hinder the use of available health care services.
Introduction: background of the study
Masculinity is one of the most important factors influencing men's behavior seeking health care and use of health services. This study looks at various factors that influence men's health care seeking behavior and use of services.
Aims and objectives
Not much has come out of the men's health movement for almost thirty years (Courtenay, 2000). Little has been said about men's health care seeking behavior and factors influencing their use of services.
Conceptual framework The health care utilisation model
The model provides the researcher with an understanding of the various factors that influence individuals' health care-seeking behavior. The model argues that health care seeking behavior is determined by demographic and social factors.
Organisation of the dissertation
Introduction
Utilisation of health services
The health care providers are often female nurses, and men find it difficult to communicate with female health care providers. In addition, there are often women in the waiting areas; therefore, men feel that they do not belong (Leichliter et al., 2011).
Gender
Green & Pope (1999) explain that women's frequent use of health services is linked to their role as nurturers. Therefore, regular checkups are associated with women's role as caregivers, which correlates with health-seeking behavior.
Self-rating
A popular explanation for women's active health care-seeking behavior is that they are more sensitive to physical discomfort than men. Women are more vulnerable than men, so there is a difference in the use of health services.
Demographic factors .1 Age
Race and economic status
The working class is associated with low economic status; this limits individuals' access to certain healthcare services. Low economic status impacts access to and use of health care services for low-income men.
Factors enabling the utilisation of health care services .1 The desire to get better
Social support
The significant difference in care-seeking behavior between men with partners and men without partners suggests that social and family support is important for men's health. Therefore, women play an important role and a progressive influence on men's care-seeking behavior (O'Brien et al., 2005).
Mass media
Banks (2001) argues that men's access to and use of health care is affected in early childhood. Their source of information and use of health services is more likely to depend on the caregiver.
Factors constraining the use of health care services .1 Culture and the role of masculinity
Lack of time
Men are often busy in the work force, and therefore do not have time to seek health care. Men's participation in the labor force affects their opportunity to seek health care. The majority of men in developing countries invest most of their time in the workforce.
Patient-care provider relationship
The evidence points to gender differences in healthcare seeking behavior and the use of services. This chapter has highlighted some of the factors that influence men's healthcare seeking behavior and use of services. The aim of the study was to investigate various factors that influence men's health care seeking behavior and use of services.
Contextual background
Most households in South Africa use health facilities that are close to their homes (Statistics SA, 2013). It is estimated that 77.0% of households in KwaZulu-Natal use public healthcare facilities (Statistics South Africa, 2013). Almost all population groups in all provinces of South Africa are satisfied with health care services they receive or to which they have access (Statistics South Africa, 2013).
Research paradigm
Inanda Township consists of a number of public health facilities namely: Amaoti, Inanda Newtown A including Mobile, Inanda C, Inanda Youth Care Center, Sivananda, Amatikwe, Inanda Seminary and Besters (Meyer et al., 2003).
Data collection procedure
The respondents answered a number of questions; However, there were some that they considered unclear and requiring further explanation. The researcher also asked two different people to participate in the interviews for the qualitative part of the study. Some questions were more assumptions, as if the researcher had already made a decision, making the questions more likely to confirm a particular assumption.
Triangulation
The pilot study was conducted with some of the members in one of the areas in Inanda. Sarantakos (1998) states that triangulation is often used when the researcher is interested in supplementing possible deficiency(s) of a certain approach. 2006) identifies the issue of representativeness as the weakness of the qualitative method. Sarantakos (1998) shares a similar perspective with Terre Blanche et al. 2006) in that triangulation allows a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods; both methods ensure a confirmation of findings of the study.
Sampling Procedure
Qualitative research promotes advanced perspective of respondents on the phenomenon under investigation (Terre Blanche et al., 2006). Qualitative research "attempts to describe and interpret individuals' feelings and experiences in human terms rather than through quantification and measurement" (Sarantakos. Therefore, this study used triangulation of methods to gather descriptive information and personal views regarding men's health care-seeking behavior in Inanda explore.
Data collection techniques Questionnaire
The researcher added open-ended questions so that respondents had the opportunity to express their opinions. The interviews were conducted in isiZulu, the respondents' home language, to promote better understanding between the researcher and the respondents. The information obtained is considered authentic; it shifts from the researcher's assumptions (Sarantakos, 1998).
Ethical considerations
The researcher is also given the opportunity to interact with the respondent, exploring the respondents' thoughts and feelings regarding social events and the problem under investigation. An interview is one of the techniques of data collection that allows the researcher to probe, hear stories and gain an in-depth understanding of the social world (Sarantakos, 1998). The researcher gets first-hand experience of respondents when they describe their own world, practice and surroundings.
Data Analysis
The consent form also guaranteed that no harm was done and that there were no benefits from participating in the study. However, respondents were informed that the data collected would be shared with the regulator and information would be used in the report. Respondents were informed that the information provided would be used to write a report and that respondents could access the results upon request.
Limitation of the study
The information collected from respondents remained confidential and anonymous; the identity and data of the respondents will not be revealed under any circumstances. The information will be made available and contact details were provided for further information or questions. This suggests that data collected in these selected areas will not be applicable to the whole of Inanda.
Summary
This chapter reports the main findings of both the quantitative and qualitative components of the study. It first presents the socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the sample, and then discusses men's health care-seeking behavior and service use. It specifically addresses men's perceptions of health services and their experiences of using health services.
Quantitative Findings .1 Sample Characteristics
Reasons for not consulting health facility
Some men indicated that they could determine whether an illness required health care or not. A few (1.5%) stated that they manage the disease themselves through self-treatment, and only 0.5% pointed out that they let the disease go without treatment and health care. Although most respondents indicated that they use public health facilities, they pointed to several factors that limit their health-seeking behavior.
Further awareness
More than half (52.5%) of the sample use public health services for convenience and treatment. To some extent, service-related factors influenced men's use of health services.
Qualitative findings of the study .1 Utilisation of health services
Perceived seriousness
Men wait for a certain period of more than two days to see the progress of a condition; they wait to see if an illness goes away or gets worse. I wait for some time to see if the condition worsens as some conditions come and go so I don't have to rush to seek help. I can't go to the clinic right away; I wait at least two days to see the outcome (IDI #6).
Self-treatment
Therefore, men indicated that they do not immediately consult the health care facility when they feel sick. Men indicated that they do not appreciate the tone and language used by some health care workers in public clinics. The men also noted that some health care workers force them to reveal certain information they do not want to share.
Long wait
It's just the fact that the clinics are often full, you have to wait for hours to get help. Another aspect is that the clinic I use is a bit far, it takes about 30-45 minutes to get there. These are some of the reasons I prefer to wait and see if the situation improves (IDI # 6).
Lack of financial resources
Absence of Male Health Workers
Men indicated that they do not consult health facilities because health workers are often women. Men indicated that they do not feel comfortable discussing health issues with female health workers. The study identified various factors influencing men's health care seeking behavior and utilization of the services.
Various factors influencing health care seeking behaviour
Therefore, this study examines factors influencing men's health care seeking behavior and utilization of services. The results of the study reveal various factors that influence men's attitudes towards health care and their health-seeking behaviour. The study indicates that the desire to get better and the value of treatment influenced men's health-seeking behavior.
Lack of income as a disabling factor
Interestingly, 62.0% of the sample indicated that they consult with health services to improve. The study also shows that perceived severity influenced the delay in seeking medical care and encouraged self-medication. Men who were included in either the survey or the interview highlighted the problem of long waiting times at local public health services.
Health care provider- Patient relationship
According to Skovdal et al. 2011) men find it challenging to disclose their health condition. 2005) also suggest that the limited number of male health care workers affects men's trust and use of services. The quantitative component of the study indicates that 39.0% within the sample feel comfortable discussing their health condition with healthcare providers. Most men interviewed indicated that it was difficult to trust or discuss sensitive issues with female healthcare workers.
Masculinity
It describes that individuals' perceived need for health care has an influence on health care seeking behavior. The study found that the majority of men do not immediately seek health care when they feel unwell. The quantitative results indicated that 42.5% of the sample consult the health care facility after two to three days.
Traditional medicine
The purpose of the research was to explore the factors influencing men's health care seeking behavior and service utilization. The study found that seeking and using men's health care services is influenced by socio-economic factors as well as service-related aspects. Factors related to health care also play a role in influencing men's health care-seeking behavior.
Questionnaire
This section explores your behavior and preferences regarding health seeking and use of health care services. Do you think that some health care services are designed for specific groups of individuals? Do you think that culture and tradition play an important role in shaping your beliefs and attitude towards using health care services?
