Healthcare utilisation among adult men in Mbombela Subdistrict, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa: A mixed method analysis
1
Public Health and Health Systems, University of Limpopo, Polokwane, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Men in marginalised communities face barriers to accessing healthcare, resulting in poor health outcomes.
OBJECTIVE:
This study assessed healthcare service utilisation and explore strategies to improve access among adult men in the Mbombela Subdistrict, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
METHODS:
An explanatory sequential mixed methods was employed. Quantitative data from 398 adult men purposively selected, were analysed using SPSS. Qualitative data from 20 in-depth interviews were analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti.
RESULTS:
Majority of responded were between 25-49 years old (69.09%) and most (63.57%) accessed health facilities and 79.9% found clinics accessible and utilisation remains limited due to socio-economic challenges, 61.05% were unemployed, 51.51% had no income, 50.75% smoked, and 70.35% consumed alcohol. Qualitative findings revealed reluctance to fear of diagnosis, stigma, masculinity norms, long waiting times and unfriendly treatment further.
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite positive perceptions of utilisation of health clinics among men, socio-economic and cultural barriers persist. Strengthening health clinic services, expanding mobile services, and addressing undesirable masculinity norms can improve access and outcomes.
Men in marginalised communities face barriers to accessing healthcare, resulting in poor health outcomes.
OBJECTIVE:
This study assessed healthcare service utilisation and explore strategies to improve access among adult men in the Mbombela Subdistrict, Mpumalanga, South Africa.
METHODS:
An explanatory sequential mixed methods was employed. Quantitative data from 398 adult men purposively selected, were analysed using SPSS. Qualitative data from 20 in-depth interviews were analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti.
RESULTS:
Majority of responded were between 25-49 years old (69.09%) and most (63.57%) accessed health facilities and 79.9% found clinics accessible and utilisation remains limited due to socio-economic challenges, 61.05% were unemployed, 51.51% had no income, 50.75% smoked, and 70.35% consumed alcohol. Qualitative findings revealed reluctance to fear of diagnosis, stigma, masculinity norms, long waiting times and unfriendly treatment further.
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite positive perceptions of utilisation of health clinics among men, socio-economic and cultural barriers persist. Strengthening health clinic services, expanding mobile services, and addressing undesirable masculinity norms can improve access and outcomes.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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