Obstacles and strategies in men's health care for primary care nurses: an experience report

Abstract

The absence of the male population from health units is notable. This leads to a reduction in male life expectancy, a lack of effective health education and, consequently, high rates of preventable morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to verify the main difficulties encountered by primary care nurses in caring for the male population in the city of Timon-MA. This study consists of a qualitative, descriptive experience report (ER), which describes aspects experienced by the author during a compulsory curricular internship in a Basic Health Unit (BHU) in the state of Maranhão, where resistance was observed on the part of the male public in seeking health services provided by Primary Care. In order to understand the limitations and strategies for inserting men into basic health units, we decided to present the results of this study from two angles: one from the author's perspective and the other from the account described by the nurse in charge of the unit, both of which show that there are difficulties in providing care to this population. The approach to male self-care is still little discussed in the current scenario, given that public policies aimed at gender are very recent compared to other groups, for example: child health care policies and women's health care policies.