Empowering Men's Health: Strategies to Enhance Health-Seeking Behaviour in Rural Limpopo, South Africa.

Abstract

Introduction: Globally, men have reportedly experienced poor health outcomes associated with their poor health-seeking behaviour. Implementing various strategies could help improve men's health-seeking behaviour and achieve better health outcomes among men. This study aimed to develop strategies to improve men's health-seeking behaviour among men in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Methods: A mixed-method multi-phase approach was used. In phase 1, a systematic review was conducted on strategies used to improve men's health-seeking behaviour to evaluate their effectiveness. In phase 2, quantitative and qualitative studies were conducted, and their findings were merged. In phase 3, Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis was applied to the merged findings to identify factors that are categorised as strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The SWOT analysis outcomes were subjected to the Build, Overcome, Explore, and Minimise (BOEM) Model. The BOEM-derived actions were then integrated and used to formulate strategies.

Results: A total of 14 strategies were developed and include recognition of the best employees, implementation of patient surveys, intensifying compliance with policies and guidelines, reduction of waiting time, regular staff training, employing male nurses and community health workers, community outreach campaigns, advocacy, introduction of male dedicated sections in existing health facilities, and use of technology.

Conclusions: Applying the developed strategies could help improve men's health-seeking behaviour and create awareness of the importance of utilising healthcare services among the male population. It could also address misconceptions and stigma surrounding the use of healthcare services in communities.