Prevalence and factors associated with the use of public health services for adult men.

The aim of this study was to identify prevalence and factors associated with use of public health services by adult males residing in the city of Maringá, Paraná. A household survey was carried out with 410 men aged 20 to 59 years old. Analysis was performed by means of descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression models. The prevalence of use of public services stood at 56.3%. Men who used public health services most often were those with little education, no health plan, no partner, unemployed, who had more contact with nurses and other professionals, sought the services due to disease/symptoms/emergency, had difficulties with the service, rated health services as regular and chose attention and promptness as the most important aspects of health services - variables adjusted for family income, economic class and need for treatment. Men's health care should be reorganized according to factors linked to the use of health services by them, with the promotion of greater contact between health services and men and the centering of assistance on users, expanding men's participation in promotional and preventive practices.