Better Health for Blokes¾A Community-Based Men's Health Program

Abstract

In recognition of the specific health problems and needs of men, a community-based health program was set up at the Inala Community Health Centre in Brisbane in late 1994. This program aimed to create a supportive environment in which men with long term health problems could improve health awareness, attitudes and skills and their quality of life. The program involves a group of men who meet fortnightly to discuss health topics, assisted by facilitators and invited resource people. The group determines its own topics, activities and rules, and is working towards becoming independent of the facilitators. A qualitative evaluation of the group after seven months, confirmed that it has provided a supportive environment in which health concerns can be discussed and health knowledge can be improved. During this period a number of the men reported a reduction or cessation of smoking, improvement in dietary habits and an improved ability to relax and to communicate with people. The group has moved consistently towards independence, aided by reflection on group processes. Quantitatively, the group has shown a significant improvement in a quality of life index, from 4.95 +/- 0.79 at the start of the program to 5.68 +/- 0.74 after three months. This was maintained at 5.65 +/- 0.39 after seven months.