MEN'S PREVENTIVE AND HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIORAL PATTERNS: EVIDENCE FROM LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

Abstract

Men's health-seeking behaviour is a growing public health concern, as many men are less likely to seek preventive care, undergo routine screenings, or obtain timely medical treatment, contributing to poorer health outcomes and gender disparities in healthcare utilization. The pathways individuals follow in seeking care vary considerably and may include consulting healthcare professionals, use traditional healing practices, or engage in self-medication (Khadka et al., 2022). Among men, self-medication has emerged as a particularly important health-seeking behaviour because it is often associated with delayed utilisation of formal healthcare services. Such practices may lead to inappropriate treatment, delayed diagnosis, disease progression, and poorer health outcomes, especially when serious conditions are managed without professional medical guidance

Health-seeking behaviour is influenced by a range of demographic, social, economic, and cultural factors. Among these, gender, educational attainment, and socioeconomic status play a significant role in shaping healthcare utilisation patterns and determining access to health services (Alam, Khan, & Gerdtham, 2014). The findings suggest that, despite the commitment to universal healthcare access, significant inequities persist in India’s healthcare system, with poor and marginalized populations continuing to experience barriers to accessing essential health services