Male users' and primary care services health professionals' conceptions of gender and possible impacts on men's health,São Paulo, Brazil

This paper studied the relation between the exercise of masculinities and health care of men in primary health care services. It focuses on representations and meanings of primary health care service users and professional of what it is to be a man. Male service users and professionals were interviewed in two primary health care facilities. Diverse models of masculinity were found, defining various forms of reasoning upon men's health care. This study indicates that issues such as work, sexuality, body structure, relationship with women, and transformations in gender relations are important for men, and should be considered in health care services.