Ageing well in older men in Otago and Southland of New Zealand: a focus group study protocol

Abstract

Background

Men in New Zealand (NZ) do not enjoy the same level of health and wellbeing as women. Men generally experience a higher incidence of, and mortality from, major diseases; most importantly, life expectancies for men in NZ are approximately four years less than for women. Such disparities vary across rural and urban communities, and across ethnic sub-groups. In particular, Māori men live some seven years less than other NZ men. Despite such inequalities, men’s health is not recognised as a priority by healthcare providers, government, or at the wider societal level. This qualitative study seeks to address this, by contributing to our understanding of factors associated with health and wellbeing for men in the ageing process. Study findings will also inform the development of a national survey of older men.

Method

Focus groups will be used to explore the expectations and experiences of health and wellbeing in a cohort of older men (≥45 years) in the Otago and Southland regions. Topics to be explored will include gender role conflict, health service help-seeking, lifestyle behaviours, social engagement, and self-identified health risks. In total, five groups are planned (6-10 men per group) and will be conducted in urban, rural, and urban-rural adjunct areas. Focus groups will be recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Transcriptions will be coded for themes using the abductive thematic analysis approach.

Results

This paper presents a protocol of a study in progress, and results are not yet known.

Discussion

This is the first qualitative study focussing on ageing well in men in NZ. It will contribute to our understanding of this aspect of men’s health, and – ultimately – help to inform interventions and policies to better support men to age positively.

Keywords:

• Men’s health
• New Zealand
• focus group
• ageing well

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Collaboration of Ageing Research Excellence (CARE), University of Otago. This work is supported by the Collaboration of Ageing Research Excellence (CARE) under Grant [CARE student support grant $2000].

Notes on contributors

Hui Xiao

Hui Xiao is a PhD candidate at the University of Otago School of Physiotherapy and is writing a thesis on factors influencing ageing well amongst older New Zealand men, studying urban and rural areas of Otago and Southland regions. He has a Masters in Education (2017), Sichuan University, China and a Bachelor of Science (2014), the Capital University of Physical Education and Sports/University of Malaya, China/Malaysia, and his current area of study is men's health and health-related quality of life, as well as health interventions.

Fiona Doolan-Noble

Dr Fiona Doolan-Noble is an experienced senior researcher from the University of Otago with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education sector. Skilled in Rural Health and Healthcare, Health Services Research, Multimorbidity and Older Person's Health and Research Design. focused on Men's health, Primary Care, and Obesity Management.

Lizhou Liu

Dr Lizhou Liu received her PhD from the University of Otago in 2017. Her primary research interests are rehabilitation and integrative medicine, which draws on both conventional and complementary and alternative medicine, including acupuncture, tai chi, and photobiomodulation. In addition, Lizhou is interested in gendered health (women's health and men's health), and committed to conduct translational health research in New Zealand.

Alan White

Professor Alan White PhD RN was the Founder and Co-director of the Centre for Men's Health at Leeds Beckett University, he is now Emeritus Professor at the University and retired from his University post. He was also a co-founder of the Men's Health Forum (England & Wales) Charity and the Chair of the Board of Trustees for 12 years, he is now its Patron. Alan is a Board member of the International Society for Men's Health. Alan is a Visiting Professor at the University of Malay in Malaysia and an Adjunct Professor at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia.

G. David Baxter

Professor G David Baxter TD is the Director of the Centre for Men's Health in New Zealand, and Co-Director of the New Zealand National Science Challenge for Ageing Well, the Deputy Director of the New Zealand-China Non-Communicable Diseases Research Collaborating Centre (2016–2018), and the Dean of the School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago (2005–2015). He also led the University of Otago's multidisciplinary Research Themes on Rehabilitation and Disability (2007–2011). David's research expertise is in the fields of men's health, rehabilitation, low back pain, complementary and alternative medicine, physical activity and health, as well as laser therapy.