A complex community-based intervention was developed, entitled the Well Men Health Service (WMS) Pilots. This used novel ways of engaging with hard-to-reach men and was comprised of 18 individual pilot projects. The aim of this thesis was to develop, implement and assess a questionnaire to evaluate one of these pilots (Argyll WMS project) and consider the wider implications for evaluation, practice and men’s health. A systematic review was undertaken to identify effective interventions, specifically smoking cessation and alcohol-reduction, aimed at improving men’s health. An evaluation questionnaire was subsequently developed and implemented across all pilots. A second systemic review was undertaken to identify a gold or reference standard to test the questionnaire. The validity, reliability and acceptability of the questionnaire were assessed. The questionnaire was used to evaluate the Argyll WMS project. The first systematic review identified that there is limited evidence that smoking cessation and alcohol-reduction interventions aimed at men are effective. The second systematic review identified that although there are no gold standard methods of measuring alcohol and smoking, reference standards to exist. The questionnaire developed was found to be valid (k=0.44-0.63), reliable (k=0.71-1.0) and acceptable. The Argyll WMS project was not successful in engaging with hard-to-reach men. A valid, reliable, acceptable evaluation questionnaire was developed in this thesis which yielded robust findings; however, the evaluation had limitations. Evaluations are now expected to include mixed methods, take into account context and identify the mechanisms by which interventions work. Further research is required to identify whether male specific or male sensitive services are more effective, for whom and in which contexts.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Aberdeen University, 2008. / Title from web page (viewed on July 23, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.