African-American men's perceptions of health : A focus group study

African-American men are disproportionately affected by preventable medical conditions, yet they underutilize primary care health services. Because healthcare utilization is strongly dependent on health beliefs, the purpose of this qualitative study was to identify and explore African-American men&#...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the National Medical Association 2006-04, Vol.98 (4), p.544-550
Main Authors: RAVENELL, Joseph E, JOHNSON, Waldo E, WHITAKER, Eric E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
African Americans - psychology
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Focus Groups
General aspects
Health Behavior
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Miscellaneous
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Qualitative Research
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Summary:African-American men are disproportionately affected by preventable medical conditions, yet they underutilize primary care health services. Because healthcare utilization is strongly dependent on health beliefs, the purpose of this qualitative study was to identify and explore African-American men's perceptions of health and health influences. We conducted eight focus group interviews with select subgroups of African-American men, including adolescents, trauma survivors, HIV-positive men, homeless men, men who have sex with men, substance abusers, church-affiliated men and a mixed sample (N=71). Definitions of health, beliefs about health maintenance and influences on health were elicited. Participants' definitions of health went beyond the traditional "absence of disease" definition and included physical, mental, emotional, economic and spiritual well-being. Being healthy also included fulfilling social roles, such as having a job and providing for one's family. Health maintenance strategies included spirituality and self-empowerment. Stress was cited as a dominant negative influence on health, attributed to lack of income, racism, "unhealthy" neighborhoods and conflict in relationships. Positive influences included a supportive social network and feeling valued by loved ones. This study provides insight into African-American men's general health perceptions and may have implications for future efforts to improve healthcare utilization in this population.
ISSN:0027-9684
1943-4693