Engaging ‘hard to reach’ men in community based health promotions

Abstract

This study sought to identify the factors that support ‘hard to reach’ men to engage in community based health promotion programmes. The findings from this study indicate that ‘hard to reach’ men prefer structured programmes with defined tangible outcomes. Ongoing consultation with the men should be built into programme planning to ensure that it is flexible to their changing needs. The approach of the facilitator is key to creating group safety and a positive group dynamic and ensuring that individual men's needs are met; positive group dynamics both motivates men to engage and is beneficial for men's education. Homogeneity among the group of men on at least one level is essential in order to support group safety. Using incentives, removing costs and choosing easily accessible venues in non-traditional settings may remove barriers to engagement of this priority group. Offering programmes in the evening would enable employed men to engage, while also removing the stigma of being available to attend during the day due to unemployment. The findings from this study may be adopted as guidelines to support others working in this challenging area.

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