Blue November: Experience report of an integral men’s health action at northeast Brazil

Maria Eduarda Corrêa Felix³; Lara Nogueira da Escóssia⁴; Vitória Cristina Almeida Flexa Ribeiro⁵ 

Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]

University: University of Fortaleza (UNIFOR)

Blue November: experience report of an integral men’s health action at northeast Brazil.

Men’s health should be understood as an integral and complex concept, encompassing problems such as violence and accidents; sexual and reproductive health, and drug abuse, such as tobacco and alcohol.¹ However, historically, there is a sense of superiority and misconceptions of self-affirmation, fostering toxic masculinity, which has considerable influence on male well-being, placing misconceptions about self-care and misrepresenting health literacy.^1,2 

Brazilian’s National Policy for Integral Attention to Men’s Health (PNAISH) consider a strategy for modifying patterns of morbidity, mortality and socio-cultural aspects, expanding actions that include men in primary care, in addition to changing the meaning of masculinity, therefore, a process of constant modification.³ However, despite the crucial role of PNAISH, the country still faces problems regarding access and efficiency in promoting men’s health.⁴ Therefore, this activity aims to raise awareness and discuss about this very important subject, deconstructing the retrograde conception of the absence of self-care.

It was divided into two moments, the first was an educational contest about issues related to men’s health, together with academic leagues, a moment in which it was possible to see the presence and lack of knowledge among the male patients who attended that basic health unit. In the second, attendances, prostatic and serological exams were carried out, in which, in addition to being notified about the results of the treponemal exams, they took the opportunity to make men aware of self-care and demystify the wrong beliefs that were identified. (Fig 1.) 

Through a broad approach, the significant number of men present on the day was notorious. More than forty men were assisted, in a task force that was disclosed aiming at health education and literacy on preventing prostate cancer, something that is believed by many men to be the main form of promoting men’s health.⁵ Attracting people that does not usually attend primary care, taking an integral approach in the group. 

There are still cultures Worldwide where men are seen as individuals who must be well enough to take care of their families, a strong ideology in Brazil as a patriarchal society, where the role of provider expected still blocks full self-care⁶, being recognized today as an influential factor in his minor life expectancy, and making it necessary to take advantage of moments when they go to the health units.⁷

The greater emphasis on men’s health has become a global public issue, a fact emphasized by the WHO European Region’s review on social determinants of health, which emphasizes that male social behavior makes them less likely to seek professional help when needed.⁷

     Thereby, outcome can be perceived as achieved after application of questionnaires and debating with the target audience, in addition to achieving other objectives, such as the dissemination of information and the demystification of mistaken ideas regarding male health. (Fig 2.)

Fig 1. Students united for integral men’s health action.

Fig 2. End of the action together with partnerships and mentor professor.

It is believed that the realization of events that mitigate curiosity and the discussion about toxic masculinity can change the conception of this population segment on an extremely important topic.

References: 

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1. Oliveira, Max Moura de, Daher, Donizete Vago, Silva, Jorge Luiz Lima da, & Andrade, Silvânia Suely Caribé de Araújo. (2015). A saúde do homem em questão: busca por atendimento na atenção básica de saúde. Ciência & Saúde Coletiva, 20(1), 273-278. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232014201.2173201

1. Moon, Du Geon. (2018). Changing Men’s Health: Leading the Future. 8 Korean Society for Sexual Medicine and Andrology. Department of Urology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea.