Abstract

GOMES, Romeu; NASCIMENTO, Elaine Ferreira do  and  ARAUJO, Fábio Carvalho de. Why do men use health services less than women? Explanations by men with low versus higher education. Cad. Saúde Pública [online]. 2007, vol.23, n.3, pp. 565-574. ISSN 0102-311X.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0102-311X2007000300015.

The objective of this study was to analyze explanations in male discourse for men's relatively limited use of health services, using a qualitative methodology. Representation of caring as a female task, work-related issues, difficult access to services, and lack of services specifically targeting men's health were the main reasons for their limited use of health services. By way of conclusion, the social imaginary by which men are viewed as invulnerable leads them to take less care of their own health and expose themselves to greater risk.

Keywords : Men's Health; Health Services; Gender Identity.