TY - JOUR
T1 - Masculinity, resources, and retention in care
T2 - South African men's behaviors and experiences while engaged in TB care and treatment
AU - Daniels, Joseph
AU - Medina-Marino, Andrew
AU - Glockner, Katherine
AU - Grew, Emily
AU - Ngcelwane, Nondumiso
AU - Kipp, Aaron
N1 - Funding Information:
This research is supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the U.S. National Institutes of Health under award number R21AI148852 to AMM and JD. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, nor will they have any role in manuscript preparations of publication decisions.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2021/2
Y1 - 2021/2
N2 - Rationale: Globally, the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) disease is significantly higher among men compared to women. This is compounded by men's poorer uptake of TB testing and treatment, and worse outcomes for smear conversion and successful treatment completion compared to women; in South Africa specifically, TB accounts for a large portion of sex-specific life expectancy differences. Objective: To understand men's unique barriers to accessing care and their needs while engaged in TB treatment, we conducted a qualitative study with men currently in or who recently completed TB treatment to understand how social norms for masculinity influence resource access and health behaviors, and in turn affect their engagement in care. Methods: We interviewed 31 men using a semi-structured protocol, with domains including: social network composition and support; TB illness; and testing, treatment, and clinical care experiences. Interviews were analyzed using a constant comparison approach to identify resources and how these are exchanged within men's social networks for TB care. Results: We found that men's prioritizing of work ensured food security and maintenance of masculinity norms, but delayed seeking and engagement in care. Once in treatment, men found it difficult both to negotiate clinic hours and work schedules and to navigate clinic environments without being labeled as weak. To mitigate individual resource gaps and losses, men typically accessed women family members who provided key resources (e.g., food, money, and emotional encouragement). Masculine identification with fatherhood was a key motivator to remain engaged in TB care and treatment. Loss from care was facilitated by isolation and limited access to social network resources. Conclusion: To improve men's engagement in care and successful treatment outcomes, interventions that leverage their social networks and build upon existing resources should be strongly considered.
AB - Rationale: Globally, the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) disease is significantly higher among men compared to women. This is compounded by men's poorer uptake of TB testing and treatment, and worse outcomes for smear conversion and successful treatment completion compared to women; in South Africa specifically, TB accounts for a large portion of sex-specific life expectancy differences. Objective: To understand men's unique barriers to accessing care and their needs while engaged in TB treatment, we conducted a qualitative study with men currently in or who recently completed TB treatment to understand how social norms for masculinity influence resource access and health behaviors, and in turn affect their engagement in care. Methods: We interviewed 31 men using a semi-structured protocol, with domains including: social network composition and support; TB illness; and testing, treatment, and clinical care experiences. Interviews were analyzed using a constant comparison approach to identify resources and how these are exchanged within men's social networks for TB care. Results: We found that men's prioritizing of work ensured food security and maintenance of masculinity norms, but delayed seeking and engagement in care. Once in treatment, men found it difficult both to negotiate clinic hours and work schedules and to navigate clinic environments without being labeled as weak. To mitigate individual resource gaps and losses, men typically accessed women family members who provided key resources (e.g., food, money, and emotional encouragement). Masculine identification with fatherhood was a key motivator to remain engaged in TB care and treatment. Loss from care was facilitated by isolation and limited access to social network resources. Conclusion: To improve men's engagement in care and successful treatment outcomes, interventions that leverage their social networks and build upon existing resources should be strongly considered.
KW - Masculinity
KW - Men
KW - South Africa
KW - Treatment
KW - Tuberculosis
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U2 - 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113639
DO - 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113639
M3 - Article
C2 - 33493956
AN - SCOPUS:85099951334
SN - 0277-9536
VL - 270
JO - Social Science and Medicine
JF - Social Science and Medicine
M1 - 113639
ER -