Although it is presumed that men who acquire a college education will also achieve middle-class status, middle-class status does not provide Black men with the anticipated reductions for some health risks. Black men who attend predominately white institutions (PWIs) are reported to face many obstacles such as racism, isolation, alienation, and lack of support compared to Black men who attend historically Black colleges/universities (HBCUs). Formative research methods were used to obtain information about stressors of Black college men and how these stressors influence their mental health and health behaviors. Focus groups captured men's understanding of mental health and their stressful life events while a questionnaire was used to obtain general health information, including depressive symptoms (i.e. feeling sad, nervous, hopeless, and worthless). Results suggest that there are no major differences between the health of Black college men at a PWI and a HBCU; however, men at each institution experience different levels of psychosocial stress as a function of their academic settings. Future research should explore the mental health of Black college men more thoroughly and include an in-depth exploration of their health practices.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors related to young black men’s intention to screen for prostate cancer as well as their engagement in prostate cancer risk-reduction behaviors. The study tested the significance of the constructs – age, attitude (direct and indirect), social influence, comfortability, cues to action, health screening experiences and knowledge – in predicting young black men’s intention to screen for prostate cancer; as well as the significance of the constructs – age, cues to action, exercise and knowledge – in predicting engagement in prostate cancer risk-reduction behaviors. Demographic/personal factors were also explored in related to the model predictors. Web-based and paper-pencil surveys were administered to 279 black men aged between 18 – 40 years from the Austin area. Three focus groups were conducted to collect information regarding young black men’s behavioral beliefs toward prostate cancer screening as well as their comfortability with prostate examinations. The number of usable surveys was 267. Using direct and indirect measures, the combination of attitude, social influence, comfortability (indirect model), and knowledge explained 41.0 and 43.0 percent of the variance in intention to screen for prostate cancer, respectively; with social influence being the strongest predictor ([Beta]=0.41; p <0.01 for the direct model and [Beta]=0.47 for the indirect model). For the model with prostate cancer risk-reduction as the outcome variable, the model accounted for 10.0 percent of the variance in behavior with only knowledge ([Beta]=0.19; p=0.03) as significant predictor. Interventions that address young black men’s attitude, social influence, comfortability, and knowledge may be necessary to increase young men’s intention to screen for prostate cancer when it is recommended by a physician. Additionally, factors surrounding exercise and knowledge may be important in increasing young men’s engagement in prostate cancer risk-reduction behaviors. Future studies using intention as a predictor of young men’s behavior are needed to assess the influence of intention on prostate cancer screening. / text

The provider-role continues to be strongly linked to ideas of manhood even in the era where family and work roles have changed. This is mainly because society continues to esteem notions of hegemonic masculinities that reduce men to a single role of providing. Such a discourse is problematic however, especially during the quandary of unemployment that South Africa finds itself. With this in mind, men find themselves battling not only with the stigma arising from their inability to perform manhood (providing) but also with the harsh labour market that refuses them the means to perform this role. As a consequence, men suffer often undiagnosed depression leading to suicide, harmful behaviour and loss of hope for a better future. Through the qualitative research approach, this study adopted the Social Identity Theory, the Eco-systems Approach as well as the Functionalism Theory towards exploring the effects of strong identification with the idea of man as provider on the psychosocial wellbeing of black men during unemployment. Individual interviews were conducted with twenty-two young men aged between 18 and 35 from Soweto as well as three social workers who were previously placed as student social workers with the Ipelegeng Youth Leadership and Development Programme. Through the use of the thematic content analysis, this study found that young men identified with the provider role and therefore participated in informal work under hazardous conditions in order to fulfil this role. Where the men failed to fulfil the provider role, communities often ridiculed and shamed them leading them to feeling stressed and depressed. The study also found that the young men were not utilising psychosocial services; owing to the notions of traditional masculinities; general lack of services and perceived ineffectiveness of programs. This report thus concludes that interventions that are tailored to tackle men’s problems should be developed and be made widely available, being stringently cognisant of contextual cultural dynamics however.

Thesis (M.A. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

The promotion of women's and children's rights excluded men from the process. The implementation of these rights called for a shift in domestic power relations. Men, especially certain black men, were plunged in predicament as some felt that the changes undermined their cultural and traditional masculine identities and that women and children abused their rights. In many cases the relationships between men, women and children came under pressure. This research is conducted among black men. The aim is to explore and describe black men's experience of their relationship with women and children in the context of women's and children's rights. An empirical study using a qualitative approach was followed to promote understanding of black men's experiences. In-depth interviews and personal notes/letters were used to collect data. The gist of the findings is that these changes are not important to women and children only, but to men too. The findings produced the following six main categories: Black men view women's and children's rights as good if correctly used; black men experience that women and children abuse their rights; black men feel that children do not honour them as they put their own rights above their father's rights; black men feel marginalised and use fight, flight or passiveness as coping strategies; black men experience women's and children's rights as a major cause of family disorganisation; black men suggest that there should be a platform for men and women to talk about their differences and types of power. Guidelines for appropriate service delivery programmes for families are developed from the findings. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

The main focus of bone loss and Osteoporosis (OP) research has been limited almost entirely to women, but OP has become increasingly common in older men and the impact of hip fracture on mortality may actually be greater in men. OP is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries, at a cost that currently exceeds $10 billion per year in the United States (US) alone. Osteoporotic fractures affect 50 % of women and 20-30% of white men and 4% of black men over the age of 50 years. These statistics may even increase because of increasing life expectancy. Few studies focusing on Blacks have been published to date and very little is known regarding the bone health and the aetiology and prevalence of OP and fractures among older South African blacks. From the above information it is clear that OP is of considerable clinical and economic importance. Without information on the patterns and determinants of bone loss, the formulation of rational prevention and treatment strategies in these groups is not possible. The aim of the study described in this thesis was to investigate the influence of the dietary factors (iron, vitamin C, and protein) and lifestyle factors (alcohol and tobacco smoking) on osteoporotic fractures and bone mineral density in older South African black men using a case-control study design. Sixteen black male patients with fractures of the proximal femur, the proximal humerus or the distal radius and who conformed to the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. An equal amount of age-matched (K? years), apparently healthy black men with no previous fracture (of the proximal femur and humerus and distal radius), were recruited as a control group. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used for the measurement of the lumbar vertebrae and the proximal femur (hip). Questionnaires were used to gather demographic and medical information, data on physical activity and dietary intakes. Anthropometric measurements and blood samples were taken. Appropriate biochemical analyses were done with standard methods. Both the cases and controls were osteoporotic according to the mean lumbar spine BMD determined in both groups. The BMD was only marginally lower in the cases than in the controls and therefore not statistically significant. The mean tobacco pack years of the cases (13.29) [95% CI: 4.44; 22.141 were almost double that of the controls (7.43) [1.83; 13.031 but it was not statistically significant (p=0.55). Tobacco pack years were negatively associated with BMD of the lumbar spine (p=0.008) even after controlling for possible confounding SUMMARY factors (p=0.001). Malnutrition, as indicated by the low dietary intakes of energy, protein, vitamin C, iron and low BMI, could play a role in the lower bone mineral density (BMD) observed in the cases. The mean protein intakes of the cases (56.1 19) [46.49; 65.741 were very low compared to the recommended 639 per day. This low protein intake was also significantly less compared to the controls (739) [58.28; 88.311. lron intake tended to be lower in the cases compared to the controls (p=0.09). lron intake was not associated with BMD, however, in the stepwise regression analysis; iron intake came out as a possible predictor of BMD of both the lumbar spine and hip, although it was not statistically significant. The BMI was c 19 kg/m2 in 50% of the cases and the controls. S-GGT, a marker of alcohol intake, was significantly increased in the cases with a mean value of 65.88ulL opposed to the 36.33UIL in the control group. S-GGT was the most important predictor of BMD in both the hip and the lumbar spine. There was a significant statistical correlation between lumbar spine BMD (p=0.04); hip BMD (p=0.02) and s-GGT. In conclusion it can be said that malnutrition played a vital role in the low BMD aggravated by the use of tobacco from a young age and alcohol in excessive amounts over weekends. From the results of this study it can be recommended that any intervention programme should focus on alcohol abuse, tobacco smoking and improvement in nutritional status. Children should be encouraged not to smoke and be educated on the detrimental effects of alcohol. It is important to address dietary risk factors associated with OP, namely to increase the overall nutrition of the South African black male with low cost protein and calcium products. Vitamin C enhances iron absorption and may be beneficial for bone collagen. The increased intake thereof by using seasonal fruit can therefore be recommended. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Dietetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

The promotion of women's and children's rights excluded men from the process. The implementation of these rights called for a shift in domestic power relations. Men, especially certain black men, were plunged in predicament as some felt that the changes undermined their cultural and traditional masculine identities and that women and children abused their rights. In many cases the relationships between men, women and children came under pressure. This research is conducted among black men. The aim is to explore and describe black men's experience of their relationship with women and children in the context of women's and children's rights. An empirical study using a qualitative approach was followed to promote understanding of black men's experiences. In-depth interviews and personal notes/letters were used to collect data. The gist of the findings is that these changes are not important to women and children only, but to men too. The findings produced the following six main categories: Black men view women's and children's rights as good if correctly used; black men experience that women and children abuse their rights; black men feel that children do not honour them as they put their own rights above their father's rights; black men feel marginalised and use fight, flight or passiveness as coping strategies; black men experience women's and children's rights as a major cause of family disorganisation; black men suggest that there should be a platform for men and women to talk about their differences and types of power. Guidelines for appropriate service delivery programmes for families are developed from the findings. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

The main focus of bone loss and Osteoporosis (OP) research has been limited almost entirely to women, but OP has become increasingly common in older men and the impact of hip fracture on mortality may actually be greater in men. OP is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries, at a cost that currently exceeds $10 billion per year in the United States (US) alone. Osteoporotic fractures affect 50 % of women and 20-30% of white men and 4% of black men over the age of 50 years. These statistics may even increase because of increasing life expectancy. Few studies focusing on Blacks have been published to date and very little is known regarding the bone health and the aetiology and prevalence of OP and fractures among older South African blacks. From the above information it is clear that OP is of considerable clinical and economic importance. Without information on the patterns and determinants of bone loss, the formulation of rational prevention and treatment strategies in these groups is not possible. The aim of the study described in this thesis was to investigate the influence of the dietary factors (iron, vitamin C, and protein) and lifestyle factors (alcohol and tobacco smoking) on osteoporotic fractures and bone mineral density in older South African black men using a case-control study design. Sixteen black male patients with fractures of the proximal femur, the proximal humerus or the distal radius and who conformed to the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. An equal amount of age-matched (K? years), apparently healthy black men with no previous fracture (of the proximal femur and humerus and distal radius), were recruited as a control group. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used for the measurement of the lumbar vertebrae and the proximal femur (hip). Questionnaires were used to gather demographic and medical information, data on physical activity and dietary intakes. Anthropometric measurements and blood samples were taken. Appropriate biochemical analyses were done with standard methods. Both the cases and controls were osteoporotic according to the mean lumbar spine BMD determined in both groups. The BMD was only marginally lower in the cases than in the controls and therefore not statistically significant. The mean tobacco pack years of the cases (13.29) [95% CI: 4.44; 22.141 were almost double that of the controls (7.43) [1.83; 13.031 but it was not statistically significant (p=0.55). Tobacco pack years were negatively associated with BMD of the lumbar spine (p=0.008) even after controlling for possible confounding SUMMARY factors (p=0.001). Malnutrition, as indicated by the low dietary intakes of energy, protein, vitamin C, iron and low BMI, could play a role in the lower bone mineral density (BMD) observed in the cases. The mean protein intakes of the cases (56.1 19) [46.49; 65.741 were very low compared to the recommended 639 per day. This low protein intake was also significantly less compared to the controls (739) [58.28; 88.311. lron intake tended to be lower in the cases compared to the controls (p=0.09). lron intake was not associated with BMD, however, in the stepwise regression analysis; iron intake came out as a possible predictor of BMD of both the lumbar spine and hip, although it was not statistically significant. The BMI was c 19 kg/m2 in 50% of the cases and the controls. S-GGT, a marker of alcohol intake, was significantly increased in the cases with a mean value of 65.88ulL opposed to the 36.33UIL in the control group. S-GGT was the most important predictor of BMD in both the hip and the lumbar spine. There was a significant statistical correlation between lumbar spine BMD (p=0.04); hip BMD (p=0.02) and s-GGT. In conclusion it can be said that malnutrition played a vital role in the low BMD aggravated by the use of tobacco from a young age and alcohol in excessive amounts over weekends. From the results of this study it can be recommended that any intervention programme should focus on alcohol abuse, tobacco smoking and improvement in nutritional status. Children should be encouraged not to smoke and be educated on the detrimental effects of alcohol. It is important to address dietary risk factors associated with OP, namely to increase the overall nutrition of the South African black male with low cost protein and calcium products. Vitamin C enhances iron absorption and may be beneficial for bone collagen. The increased intake thereof by using seasonal fruit can therefore be recommended. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Dietetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Thesis (M.A. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.