Gender and Help Seeking Behavior. Help seeking refers to the pursuit of both formal and informal medical information and assistance (Xxxxxx, 2007). This group of health practices varies greatly depending on the type of information required and cultural norms. Depending on the situation, help seeking behaviors have different connotations for men and women within societies. Understanding the societal context in which the youth decide to seek care is important to promote health services and facilitate early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in order to maximize the overall health benefit (Xxxxx-Xxxxx et al., 2000). Strong social connections and networks can facilitate better health practices and influence whether or not people seek additional healthcare services (Khawaja, Abdulrahim, Soweid, & Xxxxx, 2006). In Australia, researchers found that 44.4% of youth in clinics consulted someone about their health concerns prior to seeking additional care. They spoke with their mother, another health professional, their partner, or a nonmedical professional such as a coach. However, this study did not investigate why the participants chose to go to those individuals and for what health concerns (Xxxxxx, Xxxxx, Xxxxxx, & Xxxxxx, 2007). The sociocultural context has been shown to be a significant factor in seeking treatment for especially sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young South Africans. There have been various studies that have ascribed the cultural stigma and fear of being socially ostracized from peers as a barrier to getting tested and seeking healthcare services, especially HIV (Xxxxxxx et al., 2009; Xxxxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx, 2004; X. X. XxxXxxxx, et al., 2008; Xxxxx-Xxxxx et al. 2000; Xxxx & Xxxxxx, 2006). Seeking STI care has different social implications for men and women. One study found that men were more likely to seek healthcare services for STIs because having an STI demonstrated their ability to attract women. However, women seeking STI services were more likely to be viewed as unfaithful and become ostracized (Xxxxx-Xxxxx et al. 1998). Although some studies have not reported a difference in healthcare seeking behaviors, negotiations surrounding condom use reflect similar concerns of partner infidelity (Xxxxx-Xxxxx et al. 2000). XxxXxxxx et al. also conducted focus groups to investigate how social norms in Johannesburg affected individual behaviors surround HIV testing. In 2008, the National AIDS Survey showed that while 57% of women had ever been tested for HIV, ...
