Background

Previous studies that have examined men's health have used a piecemeal approach in the investigation of health, illness, health care utilisation, psychological conditions, crime and victimisation.

Aim

The present study sought to elucidate information on crime and victimisation, health conditions (acute and chronic), health-seeking behaviour, health care utilisation, medication compliance, health insurance coverage of males who were ill, and an inquiry into the type of illness by particular demographic characteristics. Models were used to evaluate factors that accounted for health insurance coverage and health care seeking behaviour.

Methods

Socio-demographics, health conditions, health-seeking behaviour, crowding, crime and psychological conditions were obtained from the 2002 Jamaica Survey of Living Conditions, a national probability cross-sectional survey. Only self-reported ill males were included in the present analysis (n=1,217 respondents). Multivariate models were used to analyse the associations between (1) health-seeking behaviour and socio-demographics, crime, psychological and health factors and (2) health insurance coverage, socio-demographics, and psychological factors.

Results

The prevalence rate of ill males in Jamaica was 99 per 1,000 males. Thirty-four out of every 100 ill males were 60 years and older; and 44 out of every 100 ill males were in the upper income group compared with 37 per 100 in the lowest class. There was a statistical association between area of residence, and age cohort (?2=47.343, P<0.0001); health insurance coverage (?2=42.462, P<0.0001); marital status (?2=21.147, P=0.007); socioeconomic strata (?2=48.145, P<0.0001) and age in years (F=19.935, P<0.0001).

Conclusion

The findings are far-reaching and can be used to improve the health and quality of life of Jamaican males.