A Qualitative Study on Self-Care in Men's Health in Belém do Pará, Brazil

Abstract

The National Policy for Comprehensive Healthcare for Men (PNAISH) in Brazil aims to increase men's attendance in healthcare services. This study investigates how sociocultural factors related to constructions of masculinities influence men's health care practices. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted with seven men at the Centro de Saúde Escola do Marco, Belém-PA. Individual interviews and discussion groups were utilized, analyzed through Paul Ricoeur's Hermeneutic Phenomenology. Themes such as the normalization of neglecting health among men, delayed seeking of medical assistance, difficulties in expressing psychological distress, and the relationship between masculinity and invulnerability were identified. Traditional conceptions of masculinity can be detrimental to men's health, highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach in primary care that considers cultural and psychological aspects.