2020 Volume 23 Issue 1 Pages 23-31
Aim: This study aims to elucidate aspects of health literacy among middle-aged male office workers who do not qualify for Specific Health Guidance while also gaining insight into the direction of future health promotion by way of physical examination.
Method: Study participants were 6 male office workers. The research question was: “How do office workers understand, evaluate, and implement the results of their physical examination?” Data were collected from individual semi-structured interviews and qualitative inductive analysis was performed. This study was conducted with the approval of the affiliated research institution.
Results: Health literacy included the following eight categories: regarding the understanding of physical examination results, “a readout of current general health,” “a vague indication of future health,” and “a learned the importance of health and regular health checkup” were identified; regarding the evaluation of physical examination results, feelings of “I integrate it in my daily life,” “I recognize the significance as information to interpret my health,” and “I judge myself based on the information I get” were identified; and regarding the implementation of physical examination results, “heighten awareness of preventing risk factors of disease” and “help motivate health maintenance and improvement.”
Discussion: It is necessary to improve both how individuals are notified of physical exam results and the support for utilizing the health information. It is further necessary to establish human resources and systems that support health promotion in order to change the environment for middle-aged male office workers.
