Abstracts Health Sciences

Exploring health-seeking behaviour among male students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College campus

by Tronic Sithole

To gain an understanding of why men underutilize health care services, many researchers have looked at the factors that influence men's health-seeking behaviours. South African men have been neglected in the health-seeking process. The overall objective of this research is to provide insights into factors affecting their utilisation of health care services and men’s healthcare-seeking behaviour. The study used a qualitative research technique to better understand the health-seeking behaviour of male students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Howard College campus, drawing on 30 in-depth interviews conducted with male students aged 18 and above. There were a variety of health care facilities available to the men. However, men preferred private health care services but were unable to access these services due to their unemployed status. Further, most men reported not seeking medical attention as soon as they felt ill. These results highlight the need for men to have access to health care. To improve men's use of health care services and behavioural healthcare-seeking behaviour, additional healthcare interventions are needed.