O Olhar Masculino sobre o Atendimento nos Serviços de Saúde e a Compreensão do Processo Saúde-Doença

Abstract

Studies have shown that the life expectancy of men compared to women is lower in practically all age groups, and that the risk for early mortality is higher. Men are less interested and concerned about their health, they are more resistant to seeking health services. They almost always access these services in the acute phase of the injuries. The objective of the study was to understand the male experience related to the care offered in health services and the meaning of the health-disease process. This is an interpretative, descriptive study, in which twenty men, aged between 20 and 59 years, were interviewed in the period from February to July 2017, in a city located in the central region of the State of Goiás, Brazil. The data were collected through a semi-structured home-based interview and the data analysis method was interpretative thematic analysis according to Braun and Clarke. In terms of the care experience, the men described positive and negative aspects that marked the factors related to the search for care and the structural difficulties of these services. It became evident that the search for the service depends heavily on aspects related to the service hours (so that it does not interfere in office hours), the reception and the communication with the health professionals. For most men, health is fundamental, it brings independence, strength, life, wealth and tranquility. Some qualified health as wellbeing, as something that uplifts life, an essential condition for work. Although they mention health as the most important dimension of their lives, this representation actually shows that work is the most important and health is the element that brings to that man his best potential for work. The disease was mentioned as a very bad feeling that something is not going well, that brings about dependence, fear of being disabled, not being able to work and providing sufficient financial resources to care for the family. It was identified as limiting, hindering leisure and mainly work. When describing care for their own health, most men, despite acknowledging the importance of getting an annual check-up and health care, justified that due to fatigue at work, routine and busy life, they do not practice this routinely. Others showed concern only with family and highlighted out that man likes to acquire valuable items. The results present indicators for professionals, municipal, state and federal managers to know the male perspective on the health process, disease and health care and, with that, to evaluate the appropriateness of the interventions that have been implemented, as well as to plan other more effective interventions, especially in primary health care actions for the promotion of human health.