Exploratory Qualitative Study to Investigate Factors Influencing Men's Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Lack of awareness of available SRH services was identified as a major barrier to men's utilization of sexual and reproductive health services.

• Participants reported not knowing what SRH services were available to them
• This theme emerged from focus group discussions with 72 men across two settings: urology clinic attendees and hostel residents
• Lack of awareness was identified as one of seven distinct barrier themes emerging from thematic analysis

Cultural and religious influences were identified as significant barriers discouraging men from accessing SRH services.

• Culture and religion emerged as one of seven barrier themes from the thematic analysis
• The study was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal, a region with strong traditional Zulu cultural practices
• Participants included men from men's hostels around Durban, settings often associated with particular cultural norms around masculinity

Lack of financial resources was identified as a barrier preventing men from accessing SRH services.

• Financial constraints emerged as one of seven barrier themes from the thematic data analysis
• The study population included men residing in men's hostels, a setting often associated with lower socioeconomic status
• Financial barriers were identified alongside other structural and individual-level barriers

Relationship dynamics influenced men's decisions to seek or avoid SRH services.

• Relationship dynamics emerged as a distinct barrier theme from the thematic analysis
• This theme was identified among both urology clinic attendees and hostel-dwelling men
• Relationship factors were identified as one of seven barrier themes affecting SRH service utilization

Men perceived themselves to be at low personal risk from sexual behaviors, which discouraged them from seeking SRH services.

• Perceived low risk of individual sexual behaviors was identified as one of seven barrier themes
• This perception contributed to men's reluctance to proactively access SRH services
• The theme emerged from focus group discussions with 72 men aged above 15 years

Negative attitudes of healthcare workers toward men seeking SRH services were identified as a healthcare system-level barrier.

• Healthcare workers' negative attitudes toward men requiring SRH services emerged as one of seven barrier themes
• This theme was categorized under 'healthcare factors that discourage men from accessing SRH services'
• The negative attitudes of healthcare workers were explicitly cited by participants as discouraging service utilization

Three enabling factors that encouraged men to access SRH services were identified: healthcare enabling factors, access to general information, and personal motivational factors.

• Healthcare enabling factors included the availability of healthcare resources and appointment of more male healthcare workers
• Access to general information on SRH services was identified as a facilitating theme
• Personal motivational factors constituted the third enabling theme
• More positive attitudes among healthcare workers were specifically cited as an encouragement to utilization
• These three enabling themes were identified alongside seven barrier themes through thematic analysis

The study used an exploratory qualitative design with focus group discussions involving 72 men from two distinct settings in KwaZulu-Natal.

• Seventy-two men aged above 15 years participated in focus group discussions
• Thirty-three men were recruited from urology clinics in selected hospitals
• Thirty-nine men were recruited from hostels around Durban in KZN
• Data were analyzed thematically
• Ethical clearance was granted by the Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (BREC) of UKZN (BE 347/19)

Men's reluctance to access SRH services was identified as contributing to high morbidity and mortality rates among men from preventable or treatable conditions.

• The paper states that men's reluctance to access SRH services 'leads to high morbidity and mortality rates among men, although their diseases may have been prevented or cured'
• Underutilization of SRH services by men is described as 'a persistent issue that needs to be addressed'
• The study targeted men in hostels and urology clinics as populations relevant to SRH service utilization patterns