We completed focus groups and informal interviews with men about 3 1/2
years ago and asked them about their health practices, interest in
accessing health information, completing questionnaires about health and
attending information evenings in the community, specifically about
Prostate Health.

They told us that ->->->
under 45 to 50 years old ... they generally do not complete
questionnaires about their health, though will read something if their
partner suggests they do.  They will go to health information sessions
that are offered at work, other workers attend and that they get paid to
attend.  The only health topic they would be interested in attending
would be on how to be better dads, and specific diseases if they have
the disease (it would have to be a small group vs a large symposium).
The younger the man, the less likely they would be interested in looking
for and receiving information about how to maintain thier health.

over 50 and especially once retired ... these men were very interested
in accessing health information about how to maintain their health in
almost any format.  They said their job in life was to manage their
money and manage their health.

Overall, the men of all ages, said that they wanted "the" health
information readily available, from reliable sources, with a contact
name and when they wanted it.  They were not interested in a long search
for the information.

It has been our experience that men, depending on their stage in life
are quite motivated to access health information if they see a
connection between the expected behaviour and a positive outcome for
them.  You might want to look more closely at health belief theories and
focus on men vs women.  Chatelaine ran an article within the last 3
years about tests that men should have done and when.

Debbie Bang
St. Joseph's Community Health Centre
Consumer Health Information Service
Hamilton, Ontario
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