Back to Search
Start Over
'I feel more comfortable speaking to a male': Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men's discourse on utilizing primary health care services
- Source :
- International Journal for Equity in Health, International Journal for Equity in Health, Vol 17, Iss 1, Pp 1-11 (2018)
- Publication Year :
- 2018
- Publisher :
- United Kingdom : BioMed Central, 2018.
-
Abstract
- Background: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men have the highest morbidity and mortality rates, and lowest rates of health service utilization in Australia. There is a current perception that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men are disinterested in their health. This study aimed to identify the perceived motivators, barriers and enablers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men's utilization of primary health care services, explore their experiences and obtain suggestions from them as to how services could be modified to improve utilization. Methods: This study utilized the principles of Indigenist Research Methods. Semi-structured interviews with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men (N = 19) took place in South Australia and far north Queensland. Participants were asked about their experiences with primary health care services, including what they could remember as a child. A thematic analysis of the qualitative data was completed without the use of computer software. Results: Feelings of invincibility, shame, being uncomfortable, fearful, along with long waiting times, having a lack of knowledge, and culturally inappropriate staff/services were all found to be barriers to service utilization. Enabling factors included convenience, the perceived quality of the service, feeling culturally safe and/or a sense of belonging, and having a rapport with staff. Motivation for attending primary health care services included going when feeling sick/unwell, attending a particular service (dental or sexual health), visiting for check-ups and preventative health and family encouragement. This study also highlights strategies surrounding logistical factors, promotion of services and improved communications, having culturally appropriate services and providing gender specific services all of which were suggested by the participants to improve service utilization. Conclusion: Contrary to common misperceptions, this study demonstrated that most of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men participants were motivated to engage with primary health care services for preventative health care. Even though there were men that fitted the stereo-type who avoid doctors, there were usually underlying reasons and barriers accounting for this reluctance. This study suggests that if primary health care services commit to better understanding the barriers, enablers and motivators their cohort of men face, then utilization could be greatly improved. Refereed/Peer-reviewed
- Subjects :
- Male
Torres Strait Islander
medicine.medical_specialty
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
Health service utilization
men's health
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Nursing
South Australia
Health care
medicine
Health Services, Indigenous
Humans
030212 general & internal medicine
Aboriginal
Health policy
Reproductive health
Social policy
Service (business)
030505 public health
Primary Health Care
business.industry
lcsh:Public aspects of medicine
Research
Health Policy
Public health
Australia
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Health services research
lcsh:RA1-1270
Men’s health
Patient Preference
Primary health care services
Patient Acceptance of Health Care
primary health care services
Indigenous
3. Good health
Female
Queensland
Thematic analysis
0305 other medical science
business
Psychology
health service utilization
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- International Journal for Equity in Health, International Journal for Equity in Health, Vol 17, Iss 1, Pp 1-11 (2018)
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....a74528fe4358b4670c33004b87389747