Informing health promotion in rural men’s sheds by examination of participant health status, concerns, interests, knowledge and behaviours
Gary M. H. Misan A D , Chloe Oosterbroek B and Nathan J. Wilson C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Rural Clinical School, University of Adelaide, Ground Floor, 122 Frome Street, Adelaide, SA 5055, Australia.
B Country SA Primary Health Care Network, PO Box 868, Nuriootpa, SA 5355, Australia.
C School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: gary.misan@adelaide.edu.au
Health Promotion Journal of Australia 28(3) 207-216 https://doi.org/10.1071/HE16081
Submitted: 13 July 2016 Accepted: 31 October 2016 Published: 22 December 2016
Abstract
Issue addressed: Despite the growth of Australian men’s sheds, the body of evidence regarding the health status of members, their health concerns, interests, help- or health-seeking behaviour and their preferred format for receiving health information is limited.
Methods: The study involved a cross-sectional study design with data collected from 11 rural South Australian (SA) men’s sheds. The survey collected information across 5 domains: demographics; health history, status, concerns and interests; health knowledge; help-seeking behaviours and health information format preferences.
Results: Data from 154 shed members were available for analysis. Rural SA sheds primarily cater for older, retired, lesser educated men from lower socioeconomic strata. The key health issues were age-related chronic conditions yet self-reported health status remained high. The GP was the preferred source of health advice. Key knowledge deficits were in the areas of reproductive and psychological health. The preferred mode for health education was hands-on or kinaesthetic approaches as opposed to seminars or internet based information.
Conclusions: Priority topics for health promotion programs should include prostate disorders, reproductive and sexual health issues, psychological health, risk factors for common chronic disease and bowel cancer. Programs should incorporate hands-on education approaches. Shed and shed member diversity should be considered when designing programs.
So what?: A better understanding of what ails men’s shed members, what concerns and interests them in terms of health, where they go for health advice and their preferred format for receiving health information increases the likelihood of developing health promotion programs that better engage with this target group.
Key words: health promotion, health seeking, kinaesthetic learning, learning preferences, learning styles.
References
[1] Milligan C, Neary D, Payne S, Hanratty B, Irwin P, Dowrick C (2016) Older men and social activity: a scoping review of Men’s Sheds and other gendered interventions. Ageing Soc 36, 895–923.| Older men and social activity: a scoping review of Men’s Sheds and other gendered interventions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[2] Wilson NJ, Cordier R (2013) A narrative review of Men’s Sheds literature: reducing social isolation and promoting men’s health and well-being. Health Soc Care Community 21, 451–63.
| A narrative review of Men’s Sheds literature: reducing social isolation and promoting men’s health and well-being.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[3] Misan G. Men’s Sheds - a strategy to improve men’s health. Whyalla, SA; 2008.
[4] Department of Health and Ageing. National male health policy: building on the strengths of Australian males. 2010. Available from: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/7935AC78159969D4CA257BF0001C6B07/$File/MainDocument.pdf [Verified 3 November 2016].
[5] Australian Men’s Sheds Association (AMSA). The Shedder [newsletter]. 2015. Available from: http://mensshed.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Australian-Mens-Shed-Association-Newsletter-December-2015-final.pdf [Verified 15 November 2016].
[6] Golding B, Brown M, Foley A, Harvey J, Gleeson L. Men’s sheds in Australia: learning through community contexts. National Centre for Vocational Education Research; 2007. Available from: www.ncver.edu.au/publications/1780.html [Verified 15 November 2016].
[7] Golding B, Harvey J. Final report on a survey of men’s sheds participants in Victoria. Ballarat, Vic.: School of Education, University of Ballarat. 2006.
[8] Graves K. Shedding the Light on “men in sheds”. Bendigo, Vic: Community Health Bendigo; 2001.
[9] Ormsby J, Stanley M, Jaworski K (2010) Older men’s participation in community-based men’s sheds programmes. Health Soc Care Community 18, 607–13.
| Older men’s participation in community-based men’s sheds programmes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[10] Milligan C, Dowrick C, Payne S, Hanratty B, Neary D, Irwin P, et al. Men’s Sheds and other gendered interventions for older men: improving health and wellbeing through social activity. A systematic review and scoping of the evidence base. 2013. Available from: http://sphr.nihr.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/SPHR-LIL-PH1-MIS-Age-UK-brief-report-FINAL.pdf [Verified 3 November 2016].
[11] Australian Government. National male health policy supporting document: social determinants and key actions supporting male health. 2010. Available from: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/7935AC78159969D4CA257BF0001C6B07/$File/Social%20determinants%20revised%20170510.pdf [Verified 3 November 2016].
[12] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The health of Australia’s males: a focus on five population groups. 2012. Available from: http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=10737421977 [Verified 3 November 2016].
[13] Misan G, Sergeant P. Men’s Sheds – a strategy to improve men’s health. Proceedings of the 10th National Rural Health Conference, 17–20 May 2009, Cairns, Qld; 2009.
[14] Andreasen AR. Marketing social change: changing behaviour to promote health, social development, and the environment. San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass; 1995.
[15] Australian Bureau of Statistics. Australian statistical geography standard. Canberra: ABS; 2010.
[16] RAND Health. 36-item short form survey from the RAND medical outcomes study. Santa Monica: CA. 2015. Available from: https://www.rand.org/health/surveys_tools/mos/mos_core_36item.html [Verified 15 November 2016].
[17] Richardson J, Iezzi A. Psychometric validity and the AQoL-8D multi attribute utility instrument. 2011. Available from: http://www.aqol.com.au/papers/researchpaper71.pdf [Verified 15 November 2016].
[18] Hugo G. The demographic facts of ageing in Australia. 2014. Available from: https://agedcare.health.gov.au/sites/g/files/net1426/f/documents/11_2014/002_the_demographic_facts_of_ageing_in_australia_-_revised_0.pdf [Verified 15 November 2016].
[19] Field AE, Coakley EH, Must A, Spadano JL, Laird N, Dietz WH, et al (2001) Impact of overweight on the risk of developing common chronic diseases during a 10-year period. Arch Intern Med 161, 1581–6.
| Impact of overweight on the risk of developing common chronic diseases during a 10-year period.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3MvhsFamtg%3D%3D&md5=4cff4b119ca5ce70f15677848df60c5cCAS |
[20] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Risk factors contributing to chronic disease. Canberra: AIHW; 2012.
[21] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The health of Australia’s Males. Canberra: AIHW; 2011.
[22] de Kretser D, Cock M, Holden C (2006) The Men in Australia Telephone Survey (MATeS) – lessons for all. Med J Aust 185, 412–3.
[23] Holden CA, Jolley DJ, McLachlan RI, Pitts M, Cumming R, Wittert G, et al (2006) Men in Australia Telephone Survey (MATeS): predictors of men’s help-seeking behaviour for reproductive health disorders. Med J Aust 185, 418–22.
[24] Britt H, Miller G, Henderson J, Bayram C, Harrison C, Valenti L, et al. General practice activity in Australia 2014–15. General practice series number 38. Sydney: Sydney University Press; 2015.
[25] Henchoz K, Cavalli S, Girardin M (2008) Health perception and health status in advanced old age: a paradox of association. J Aging Stud 22, 282–90.
| Health perception and health status in advanced old age: a paradox of association.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[26] Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). National health survey: summary of results 2004–2005. Canberra: ABS; 2006.
[27] Morgan N (2010) A room of their own: men’s sheds build communities of support and purpose. CrossCurrents: The Journal of Addiction and Mental Health 13, 12–3.
[28] Australian Government. National male health policy supporting document: healthy minds. 2010. Available from: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/7935AC78159969D4CA257BF0001C6B07/$File/Healthy%20minds%20revised%20170510.pdf [Verified 15 November 2016].
[29] Parslow RA, Jorm AF (2000) Who uses mental health services in Australia? An analysis of data from the national survey of mental health and wellbeing. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 34, 997–1008.
| Who uses mental health services in Australia? An analysis of data from the national survey of mental health and wellbeing.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3M7itF2nug%3D%3D&md5=becb73eb7e0eb77a54053b3c5ce2c338CAS |
[30] Caldwell TM, Jorm A, Dear K (2004) Suicide and mental health in rural, remote and metropolitan areas in Australia. Med J Aust 181, S10–4.
[31] Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). 4364.0.55.002 – Australian health survey: health service usage and health related actions, 2011–12: Cancer. Canberra: ABS; 2013.
[32] Holden CA, McLachlan RI, Pitts M, Cumming R, Wittert G, Agius PA, et al (2005) Men in Australia telephone survey (MATeS): a national survey of the reproductive health and concerns of middle-aged and older Australian men. Lancet 366, 218–24.
| Men in Australia telephone survey (MATeS): a national survey of the reproductive health and concerns of middle-aged and older Australian men.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[33] DeWalt DA, Berkman ND, Sheridan S, Lohr KN, Pignone MP (2004) Literacy and health outcomes. J Gen Intern Med 19, 1228–39.
| Literacy and health outcomes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[34] Johnson A (2014) Health literacy, does it make a difference? Aust J Adv Nurs 31, 39–45.
[35] Arnold-Reed DE, Hince D, Bulsara M, Ngo H, Eaton M, Wright A, et al (2008) Knowledge and attitudes of men about prostate cancer. Med J Aust 189, 312–4.
[36] Ilic D, Murphy K, Green S (2013) Perspectives on knowledge, information seeking and decision making behaviour about prostate cancer among Australian men. J Men’s Health 10, 54–9.
| Perspectives on knowledge, information seeking and decision making behaviour about prostate cancer among Australian men.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[37] Ricciardelli L, Mellor D, McCabe M (2012) The quiet crisis: challenges for men’s health in Australia. InPysch 34, 10–3. Available from: http://www.psychology.org.au/inpsych/2012/august/ricciardelli/ [Verified 15 November 2016].
[38] Smith JA Braunack-Mayer A Wittert G Warin M
[39] Witty KR, White AK, Bagnall A, South J (2011) Male frequent attenders of general practice and their help seeking preferences. J Ment Health 8, 21–6.
| Male frequent attenders of general practice and their help seeking preferences.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[40] Ashfield J. Doing psychotherapy with men: practicing ethical counselling and psychotherapy with men. Adelaide, SA: The Australian Institute of Male Health and Studies; 2010.
[41] Brown M, Golding B, Foley A, eds. A long and winding road: autonomous men’s learning through participation in community sheds across Australia. 38th SCUTREA International Conference, 3–5 July, University of Edinburgh, Scotland; 2008.
[42] Golding B. A profile of men’s sheds in Australia: patterns, purposes, profiles and experiences of participants: some implications for ACE and VET about engaging older men. 2006. Available from: https://avetra.org.au/ABSTRACTS2006/PA%200028.pdf [Verified 3 November 2016].
[43] Golding B. Men learning later in life: floating the theory of shedagogy. Paper presented at the Education and Learning of Older Adults conference, ‘Innovations in lifelong learning’, 22–24 October 2014, Valletta, Malta; 2014.
[44] Milligan C, Payne S, Bingley A, Cockshott Z. Evaluation of the Men in Sheds pilot programme. 2012. Available from: http://www.wisdominpractice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Milligan-Payne-Men-In-Sheds-Evaluation-for-Age-UK-2012.pdf [Verified 3 November 2016].
[45] Golding B, Foley A, Brown M (2007) The international potential for men’s shed-based learning. J Cont Lib Adult Educ 34, 9–13. Available from: http://hdl.voced.edu.au/10707/93675 [Verified 7 November 2016].
[46] Golding B (2011) Shedding ideas about older men’s learning. Elm 2, 119–24. Available from: http://elmmagazine.eu/articles/shedding-ideas-about-older-men-s-learning [Verified 3 November 2016].
[47] Lee C, Coughlin JF (2015) PERSPECTIVE: older adults’ adoption of technology: an integrated approach to identifying determinants and barriers. J Prod Innov Manage 32, 747–59.
| PERSPECTIVE: older adults’ adoption of technology: an integrated approach to identifying determinants and barriers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[48] Wilson NJ, Cordier R, Doma K, Misan G, Vas S (2015) Men’s Sheds function and philosophy: toward a framework for future research and men’s health promotion. Health Promot J Austr 26, 133–41.
| Men’s Sheds function and philosophy: toward a framework for future research and men’s health promotion.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |