Men and differences by racial/ethnic group in self advocacy during the medical encounter

Abstract 

Background

This study examines differences in medical self advocacy in men by racial/ethnic group.

Methods

This study used data from the 2000–2001 Household Component of the Community Tracking Survey. The study sample included 14,527 men aged 18–65 with at least 1 physician visit in the previous year. Binomial logit models were used to examine the predictors of self advocacy.

Results

Compared to White men, Hispanic and African American men were slightly more likely to seek health information (odds ratio (OR) = 1.05) and (OR = 1.13), however the finding was not significant. African American (0R = 0.59) men were less likely to mention health information they sought to a physician during the medical encounter than White men. Among those men who sought health information and mentioned that information to a physician, Hispanic men (OR = 3.57) were more likely to perceive that tests were ordered based upon health information mentioned to the physician than White men.

Conclusions

It is important for future studies to explore interventions to improve how African American men interface with the healthcare system.

Keywords: Self advocacy, Men, Medical encounter, African Americans, Hispanics