Patterns of men's use of sexual and reproductive health services

CONTEXT: Men have been neglected as a target population for sexual and reproductive health services. As a result, little is known about the rates and antecedents of men's service utilization. METHODS: Data from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth were used to examine utilization of sexual and reproductive health services among 3,611 men aged 20-44 who had ever had sex with a woman. Associations between demographic and behavioral variables and measures of service utilization were assessed in univariate and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Only 48% of men reported receiving sexual and reproductive health services in the past year. The testicular exam was the most commonly received service (35%), but half of men who had had a testicular exam had received no other sexual and reproductive health services. Levels of unmet need for services among men engaging in sexual risk behaviors were substantial (32-63%). The odds of having received nontesticular services were elevated among men who were nonwhite and older, engaged in sexual risk behaviors, had had a physical exam and had public health insurance. The odds of having received only a testicular exam were elevated among men who were white, had lower levels of sexual risk, had had a physical exam and had private or no insurance. CONCLUSIONS: Men who have sex with women are not receiving adequate levels of sexual and reproductive health care, and the care they receive is neither comprehensive nor integrated. Standards of clinical care need to be defined and communicated to men and providers.