A Sequential Explanatory Study on the Health-Seeking Behaviors of Middle-Aged Men Living in Floating Communities In Bacoor, Cavite

Abstract

In general, men have shorter lifespan compared to women in most countries around the world due to several factors. This is due to the fact that health-seeking behaviors in men tend to be poorer; they fail to get routine check-ups, preventive care, health counselling, and often ignore symptoms or delay seeking medical attention when sick or in pain. Middle age (45 to 65 years old) is the time when chronic diseases begin to surface and manifest their early symptoms. Majority of them are married with children amplifying their responsibility. Men who live in slum conditions further exacerbates their disadvantaged condition for generally seeking medical attention relatively late in the course of their illnesses. A sequential explanatory study was conducted to assess the current health conditions and health-seeking behavior of middle-aged men (45 to 65 years old) who live in floating communities in Bacoor, Cavite. Using purposive random sampling, 231 participants from two barangays was surveyed using a questionnaire that focused on acquired common diseases and the factors that affect their health-seeking behaviors. Selected respondents were recruited to participate in a phenomenological interview. Results showed that while economic factors greatly affect the health-seeking behavior of middle-aged men, inefficient service delivery, machismo culture, and social impact also impede them from seeking healthcare. Statistical significance is seen on the relationship between “educational attainment and health-seeking behavior” and “marital status and health-seeking behavior”. While the survey results showed that 81.8% of the men have utilized formal medical care, interviews with key informants revealed high frequency of free medical missions in the area that contribute to the high occurrence of middleaged men seeking health care. This study also recognized the crucial role played by the wives in convincing their husbands to seek medical care when they get sick, further improving the middleaged men’s health-seeking behavior.