Deconstructing Masculinity: A Mixed‐Methods Exploration of Health Access and Legal Implications Among Middle‐Aged Men in Yaoundé, Cameroon

ABSTRACT Masculinity significantly influences men's health‐seeking behaviors, yet its intersection with legal frameworks and healthcare access in Sub‐Saharan Africa remains underexplored. This mixed‐methods study investigates how gender norms and structural barriers influence healthcare experiences among 60 middle‐aged men (aged 30–60 years) in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Quantitative surveys assessed symptom‐related health‐seeking behaviors, perceptions of masculinity, and legal knowledge, whereas qualitative interviews provided in‐depth insights into lived experiences and systemic constraints. Findings indicate that hegemonic masculinity norms discourage healthcare utilization, with 49.9% of participants rarely or never seeking medical care despite experiencing symptoms, due to perceptions of weakness and expectations of self‐reliance. Financial constraints (50%), mistrust in healthcare providers (30%), and bureaucratic hurdles (36.7%) were the primary factors further impeding access. Additionally, 58.3% of participants lacked awareness of their legal healthcare rights, limiting their ability to navigate the system effectively. Discriminatory policies, including spousal consent requirements for specific medical procedures (23.3%), further restricted access and reinforced systemic gender biases. These findings underscore the need for gender‐sensitive and legally informed healthcare reforms that address both cultural norms and structural limitations. Key recommendations include expanding male‐friendly health services, improving legal literacy, and streamlining bureaucratic processes. Integrating masculinity‐informed approaches into healthcare policy may foster more inclusive systems, encourage timely healthcare engagement among men, and reduce gender‐based health disparities in Cameroon and similar contexts.