Community Health Workers ‘s views on barriers and challenges on healthcare service access and utilisation faced by adult men in the City of Mbombela, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa: a qualitative analysis
1
Public Health and Health Systems, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Marginalised men in South Africa, particularly in rural and peri-urban settings, face essential barriers to accessing healthcare services. These challenges are often rooted in structural, cultural, and social factors that influence health-seeking behavior and service utilization.
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of CHWs regarding the barriers adult men face in accessing healthcare services in the City of Mbombela, and to identify potential strategies to improve service delivery and engagement.
METHODS:
A qualitative descriptive design was employed, using purposive sampling to recruit 63 CHWs for five focus group discussions (FGDs). Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Siswati and English, and thematic analysis was performed using ATLAS.ti version 23.3. Data saturation was reached by the 5th FGD. Field notes and non-verbal cues were also documented to enrich contextual understanding.
RESULTS:
Two major themes and sub-themes emerged: CHWs’ awareness and support roles; cultural influences such as masculinity and stigma; systemic barriers including long waiting times, financial constraints, and inconvenient clinic hours; and proposed strategies for improvement. CHWs emphasized the importance of tailored counselling, mobile unit clinics, and male-led support groups to enhance men’s engagement with healthcare services.
CONCLUSIONS:
CHWs play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between men and healthcare services. Addressing cultural norms, improving service accessibility, and implementing community-based interventions are essential to overcoming barriers and promoting health-seeking behavior among adult men
Marginalised men in South Africa, particularly in rural and peri-urban settings, face essential barriers to accessing healthcare services. These challenges are often rooted in structural, cultural, and social factors that influence health-seeking behavior and service utilization.
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of CHWs regarding the barriers adult men face in accessing healthcare services in the City of Mbombela, and to identify potential strategies to improve service delivery and engagement.
METHODS:
A qualitative descriptive design was employed, using purposive sampling to recruit 63 CHWs for five focus group discussions (FGDs). Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Siswati and English, and thematic analysis was performed using ATLAS.ti version 23.3. Data saturation was reached by the 5th FGD. Field notes and non-verbal cues were also documented to enrich contextual understanding.
RESULTS:
Two major themes and sub-themes emerged: CHWs’ awareness and support roles; cultural influences such as masculinity and stigma; systemic barriers including long waiting times, financial constraints, and inconvenient clinic hours; and proposed strategies for improvement. CHWs emphasized the importance of tailored counselling, mobile unit clinics, and male-led support groups to enhance men’s engagement with healthcare services.
CONCLUSIONS:
CHWs play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between men and healthcare services. Addressing cultural norms, improving service accessibility, and implementing community-based interventions are essential to overcoming barriers and promoting health-seeking behavior among adult men
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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