Bendigo Men's Health Night Survey Evaluation

Held on 21st August 2001

Organised by Centre for Advancement of Men's Health
and Rotary Club of Bendigo

With funding from 'dadcare' Program

Executive Summary

330 men attended…
185 responded to Questionnaire
Questionnaire return rate of 56%…

• 32% of the participants were 50-59 years of age group
• 50% of the participants were in the 60+ and 40-49 years of age group
• 12% were in the 30-39 years of age group
• 3% were in the 20-29 years of age group
• 0.54% were in the 16-19 years of age group

• 89% were Local Blokes
• 4% were Migrants to Australia
• 3% were non-indigenous males

• 3% were Veterans 1939-1954
• 5% were Veterans 1964-1975

• 28% were Retired (also described their occupations as Farmer or Volunteer)
• 25% described their current occupation as Professional
• 11% described their current occupation as Trade
• 10% described their current occupation as Semi-Professional
• 6% described their current occupation as Self-Employed
• 4% described their current occupation as Unemployed
• 3% described their current occupation as Manual
• 3% described their current occupation as Farmer
• 3% described their current occupation as Private Business
• 2% described their current occupation as Student
• 2% described their current occupation as Volunteer
• 1% described their current occupation as Academic
• Others described themselves as:
  Single Dad
  Drug Courier
  Public Servant
  Horticulturalist
  Administration
  Carer

• 72% were Married
• 7% were Divorced
• 4% were Single
• 4% were Separated
• 4% were in a DeFacto relationship
• 2% had Partners
• 2% were Widowers

Areas of Men's Health (in order of importance to the participants…Bold Top 10)

Heart Disease 72%
Cancer 68%
Stress 65%
Cholesterol 61%
Blood Pressure 57%
Relationships 46%
Diabetes 45%
Depression 45%
Urinary/Bladder Problems 37%
Mental Health 37%
Road Accidents 25%
Alcohol Use 24%
Respiratory Problems 23%
Sexual difficulties 22%
Bad Moods/Anger 22%
Suicide 17%
Smoking 16%
Sport Injuries 12%
Drug Use 12%
Contraception 7%

• 85% indicated that they have seen a GP in the last year
• 24% indicated that they had seen a GP Twice
• 12% indicated that they had been three times
• 11% indicated that they had been four times
• 10% indicated that they had been once
• 7% indicated that they had been six times
• 3% indicated that they had been eight times
• 1% indicated that they had been 7 times, 1% indicated that they had been 10 times, 1% indicated that they had been 20 times,
• 0.54% indicated they had been 12 times, 0.54% indicated they had been 24 times, 0.54 indicated they had been 30 times

• 44% indicated they visited for a Check Up
• 40% indicated they visited for Illness
• 15% indicated they visited due to an injury
• 10% indicated they visited for Personal Issues
  Otheres indicated that they:
  Had ongoing treatment
  Flu Shot
  Mental Disorder
  Stress
  Skin Cancers
  Complaint
  Vertigo, Lymphoma in Stomach
  Reflux
  CML

• 94% indicated that they visited the Doctor locally
• 4% indicated that they went out of Town for their visits

• 35% indicated that their visit was Very Good
• 30% indicated that their visit was Good
• 27% indicated that their visit was Satisfactory
• 2% felt that the visit was Too Quick
• 1% felt that the Doctor was Not Supportive
• 1% felt that the Doctor Didn't relate well

• 53% indicated that they had not visited other Health Professionals
• 45% indicated that they had

• 13% indicated that they visited a Health Professional twice
• 12% visited once
• 5% visited 3 times
• 4% visited 6 times
• 4% indicated they had visited 8 times or more
• 2% visited 4 times

• 20% indicated that their visit was Very Good
• 15% indicated that their visit was Good
• 8% indicated that their visit was Satisfactory
• 1% felt that the visit was Too Quick
• 1% felt that the Doctor was Not Supportive
• 1% felt that the Doctor Didn't relate well

Health Professionals Most important for Men's Health (Top 10)

1. GP
2. Medical Specialist
3. Counsellor/Psychologist
4. Community Health Centre
5. Dietitian
6. Nursing Services
7. Physiotherapist
8. Health Worker
9. Osteopath
10. Chiropractor

Others also indicated as important:

Dentist
Podiatrist
Optometrist
Naturopath
Masseur

• 52% indicated that an After Hours Service would make it easier to see a GP
• 46% indicated that an After Hours Service would not make it easier to see a GP
• · 61% indicated that they would like an After Hours Service from Community Health
• 34% indicated that they would not like an After Hours Service from Community Health

As a Result of the Night:

• 45% indicated that they would Increase their exercise
• 38% indicated that they would see a GP
• 32% indicated that they would Reduce their Weight
• 32% indicated that they would Relax More
• 30% indicated that they would attend Sessions in Men's Health Week
• 28% indicated that they would eat less fat
• 25% indicated that they would Work on Relationships
• 24% indicated that they would Change unhealthy habits
• 15% indicated that they would Change their Lifestyle
• 7% indicated that they would Reduce Smoking
• 5% indicated that they would visit a Health Service

• 88% indicated that they would be interested in attending Future Sessions
• 54% indicated that they would be interested in Heart and Cancer Sessions
• 52% indicated that they would interested in Dealing with Stress/Depression Sessions
• 24% indicated Parenting Sessions for Men
• 23% indicated Relationship Counselling
• 3% indicated Farm Safety

75% indicated that they would like to be told when Sessions take place.

98% feel that Men's Health is Important.

99% would recommend other men attend a Men's Health Night.

·90% feel that the night has been valuable for them.

72% felt that not enough has been done for Men's Health in their Community.

What makes you …… depressed or feel ordinary

Relationships with

• 21% indicated their partner
• 20% indicated their children
• 17% indicated their Self
• 9% indicated their Workmates
• 6% indicated their Ex-Partner
• 4% indicated their Friends

36% indicated that they were happy with their relationships

Sex

• 19% indicated Lack of Sex
• 16% indicated Intimacy/Love
• 12% indicated Lack of Opportunity
• 12% indicated Inability to Perform
• 12% indicated Lack of Good Sex
• 1% indicated Knowledge of Sex

28% indicated that they were happy with sex/intimacy

Work

• 30% indicated Stress/Tension
• 15% indicated Retirement
• 14% indicated Uncertainty of Future
• 12% indicated Uncertainty of Income
• 11% indicated Long Hours
• 11% indicated Uncertainty of Employment
• 7% indicated Management
• 5% indicated Unemployment
• 5% indicated Isolation
• 5% indicated Lack of Qualifications

· 18% indicated that they were happy with work/income

• 51% indicated that they would like to address Health/Wellbeing the most
• 30% indicated that they would like to address Relationships/Family Issues
• 14% indicated that they would like to address Workplace Issues
• 12% indicated that they would like to address Sex

Pfizer Men's Health Tune Up

• 68% indicated that they did or would have a Pfizer Men's Health Tune-Up Check
• 59% felt that the information gained on their Health Status was valuable.
• Only 10% were referred on to a GP after their Check Up, although 33% indicated that they would attend a GP based on the Result of the Check Up.

'dad care" Fathers Day Kit

• 20% indicated that they would buy a 'dad care' Fathers Day Kit
• 15 indicated that they would buy one for their Father
• 51% indicated that they would not buy one for their Father, with31% indicated that they would not buy one as their father (parent) was deceased.

Comments from Participants:

On the night:

• Just great.
• Some repetitioin between Speakers, maybe a little tightening up on presentation.
• Great idea of next day Testing.
• Venue excellent. Food too slow, but quality very good.
• Most Appropriate. Great night.
• More staff to cope with numbers attended on night.

On has enough been done for Men's Health Issues in your community:

• Need more informative Sessions.
• I honestly don't know …. Which porbably means "no",
• Very hard for men to cope after rough divorce deal.
• Not enough focus on "wellness".
• Tonight is a good start.
• Emphasis seems to be only on women's health.
• No one takes men's health seriously. Funding and Policy seems to be in the hands of anti men female bureaucracy.
• This is the first time I have attended one of these sessions. I haven't heard of any other functions like this.
• I've never heard of a night such as this. I only found out about tonight by accident.
• All recent focus seems to be on women's health.
• Lackof support for men's issues, no or little community awareness as is the case with women.
• Needs to be more open and constructive.
• More awareness needed. More support/encouragement for ALL types of men.
• Well advertised or known previously. But if they are dumb enough not to be involved or listen, it's their problem.
• Its there if men take advantage of it.
• Men need to be made more aware of men's health problems.