Mens Health:

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Mens Health Lets not just talk bollocks!!
Steve Robertson
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• Qualitative approach
• Completed in the North West of England
• Focus groups interviews with
• 8 Community health professionals HP
• 7 Gay men GM
• 6 Disabled men DM
• 7 non-gay non-disabled men CABS

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Yeah, cause its Health important to women
innit, but blokes dont really bother about it. I
mean speaking from my experience, like I say, I
never think about it. Quinn DM2   I think
its, its not even an attitude, its a
non-attitude towards health. They men dont see
it as a problem. I dont think they think that
going out and having a binge on Friday nights a
problem. Martin CABS3
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I think men are under a great deal of pressure
during their working life, and through
fatherhood, to be fit and healthy and therefore
to presume they are fit and healthy. And if you
go for screening you are doubting that youre fit
and healthy and I dont think men allow
themselves the opportunity to doubt that.
Collette HP2
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Dont care - Should care
I do keep fit. Um dont drink too much, dont
smoke too much, well I probably do at times
laughs. Watching what I eat to a certain
extent, eating fruit and vegetables. Um, so
keeping fit, eating healthily and not living life
in too much of an excess. Martin, CABS3
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QUINN No. No, I think it should be like it is.
You know if you injure yourself then you go and
get sorted, but its not down to them to make
sure youre all right in everyday life. Its down
to yerself innit. Quinn, DM2 I think its
NHS got a responsibility to get you well, but
it doesnt have a responsibility to keep you
well, thats down to yourself. Frank, DM6
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Youre wasting their time, they could be sorting
out someone who is poorly. Someone needs an
emergency appointment, you go in and theres
nothin wrong, you could be holding them up . .
The less I go to the doctors the better off
everyone else is thats poorly. I know Im not
taking up his time. Hugh CABS2
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Times of opportunity
1) Life stages or changes
2) Family history
3) Concern of family members
4) Non-gendered aspects of identity
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1) Life stages or changes
I was one of the beer swilling types not long
ago. But now things have changed and we still
enjoy ourselves but we take it easy as well until
shes their baby of an age where she can look
after herself. I want to know I am able to deal
with any emergency that may occur. Owen, CABS5
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2) Family history
My father died of skin cancer when I was young.
So I always get me mum, if Ive got a scratch on
me back I think is that a mole, I always get me
mum to check that out, she says, right you ought
to go and see a doctor. So certain things like
that Im very cautious about. Martin, CABS3
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3) Concern of family members
Jane wife phoned up to make the appointment,
she always phones the doctors and tells me when I
have to be there . . . Im not very good at that
sort of thing. Hugh, CABS2
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4) Non-gendered aspects of identity
I think gay men are more aware of their health
than straight men on the whole I think that gay
men are more health conscious Gary, GM3
I think since Ive been in the chair, Ive
watched what Ive eaten because I cant lose it
weight. Im worried about getting a belly and
not being able to get rid of it. Peter, DM1
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Dr. Steve RobertsonSenior Research FellowDept
of NursingBrook BuildingUniversity of Central
LancashirePrestonPR1 2HEtel 01772
895149email srobertson1_at_uclan.ac.uk