title: Men's help-seeking behavior with regards to lower bowel symptoms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the barriers to help-seeking among men experiencing lower bowel symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 men recruited via purposive sampling. Interviews were audio-taped, transcribed, and analyzed thematically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Misinterpretation of the symptoms and the attribution of the symptoms to non-medical causes were common barriers to help-seeking. Other barriers include the cost of consulting a GP, llow level of confidence in consultation, and fear of cancer diagnosis. Some participants did not seek medical advice as the symptoms were intermittent or resolved with over-the-counter medications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need for health promotion campaigns for men with regards to seeking timely medical advice for lower bowel symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, Curtin University, WA, Australia. deveshvarun.oberoi@curtin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Devesh V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Oberoi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, Curtin University, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Moyez
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jiwa
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McManus
authors.affiliation: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Rupert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hodder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*