Men’s perspective on barriers and challenges towards accessing healthcare services in the City of Mbombela, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Men’s healthcare-seeking behaviour is a demanding global issue with important effects on health and wellbeing. This study aimed to explore barriers and challenges among men towards accessing healthcare service in the City of Mbombela, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. A qualitative descriptive study with an explorative design was conducted to explore men’s healthcare seeking behaviour. Data was collected using in-depth interviews with 20 men purposively selected. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis, following Baun and Clarke’s six step framework to ensure a systematic and thorough approach. Data saturation was monitored and confirmed during the analysis process. An independent coder was engaged to provide professional guidance and validation of codes and emerged themes. ATLAS.ti software (version 23.0.0) was used to support data organisation and analysis. The study revealed that interviews with 20 men aged 18–49 years highlighted reluctance to access healthcare among men was influenced by several elements. These components included personal factors (anxiety, fear, and stigma), healthcare system barriers (long waiting times, unfriendly treatment), and societal expectations around masculinity and health-seeking behavior. It is evident that this study highlights on personal, social, and cultural factors hindering men from accessing healthcare. The findings inform strategic context-specific interventions highlighted to improve men’s health outcomes. Promote health equity, community-based health programming, integration of workplace health programmes, male-centered support programs, to inform global goals and department of health policy.