BACKGROUND: Health promotion (HP) interventions delivered through sports clubs have demonstrated promising outcomes among men, but less is known about which aspects of the interventions work, for whom, and under what circumstances. This rapid realist review aims to understand the contexts, mechanisms, and outcomes of HP interventions for men delivered through sports clubs.
METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in February 2023 for studies published after 2013 in MEDLINE, Embase, and SPORTDiscus databases.
METHODS: (a) were delivered by or in collaboration with sports clubs, (b) targeted men aged 18+ years, and (c) reported 1 or more HP outcome. A grey literature search was also performed. Studies were included in a realist synthesis based on richness and rigor. Hereafter, context-mechanisms-outcome (CMO) configurations were developed.
RESULTS: We identified and screened 3356 studies, finally including 60 studies describing 22 interventions. Most HP interventions were delivered in high income countries, included Caucasian men aged 35-65 years with overweight/obesity, and used professional sports clubs (mostly football) for recruitment and facilities. Quantitative HP outcomes were reported across 19 interventions. Of these 19 interventions, the majority reported on weight (n = 18), physical activity (n = 12), mental health (n = 10), and diet (n = 9). We identified 12 CMOs related to how HP interventions affected men\'s recruitment, engagement, and health behavior maintenance.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that using sports clubs for HP interventions is effective for engaging men. Recruitment was facilitated by leveraging sports clubs\' identity, addressing masculinity-related barriers, improving accessibility, and building trust. Engagement was enhanced through shared identity experiences, safe spaces, inclusive competition, and self-efficacy. However, there\'s limited evidence on behavior maintenance post-intervention, though involving community stakeholders seemed vital. In general, considerations should be made to avoid perpetuating traditional masculine norms, which may exclude some men and reinforce unhealthy behaviors. These findings can guide intervention development, emphasizing the need to harness men\'s perspectives in the process.

As notions of masculinity evolve globally, it is important to understand their dimensions within geographic regions and life contexts. African men\'s involvement in their partners\'pregnancy and childbirth has been explored to a limited extent in the peer-reviewed literature. This analysis provides a comprehensive examination of the existing literature on the diverse experiences of fathers across the African continent.
This study aims to provide an overview of fathers\' experience of involvement in their partners\' pregnancies andchildbirth in Africa.
A systematic integrative literature review guided the process. The review comprised problem identification, literature search, data evaluation, data analysis and presentation of results. Systematic searches were conducted in the Cinahl, PubMed and Scopus databases.
The search identified 70 articles of which 31, relating to 11 African countries, were used. Of these, 20 were qualitative, 9 were quantitative and 2 were mixed-methods studies. Men\'s alienation from health services, and traditional gender norms that discourage fathers\' supportive role during pregnancy were prevalent themes. Financial pressures also dominated fathers\'experiences. At the same time, in 18 studies fathers expressed motivation to be involved partners and supportive fathers, despite stigma and exclusion from maternity services.
This integrative review shows that fathers\' experiences of their involvement in their partners\' pregnancy and childbirth across African countries are influenced by multiple factors. While unwelcoming health services, traditional gender norms, and low income are barriers to male involvement, education, younger age, and modern gender norms are associated with greater male involvement.
Main findings: There is a diversity of experiences among fathers across the African continent, with healthcare system alienation, influential gender norms, and financial pressure being common themes.Added knowledge: Unwelcoming health services, traditional gender norms, and low income were found to be impediments to male involvement in their partners’ pregnancy and childbirth, while education, younger age, and modern gender norms were associated with greater male involvement.Global health impact for policy and action: Information and education for men and conducive healthcare environments would enable more positive experiences for men and encourage their greater involvement.

Despite proven efficacy, fatherhood interventions face challenges in attracting and retaining participants. This qualitative systematic review aims to inform the future design of fatherhood interventions by consolidating and synthesizing the evidence around fathers\' experiences with interventions aimed at enhancing their involvement and relationships with their children. Following PRISMA guidelines, we analyzed 10 studies from a search of six electronic databases. Our analysis coalesced into three pivotal themes: (a) creating a sense of belonging: facilitating participation; (b) transformative takeaways; and (c) challenges of negotiating expectations of masculinity. Our findings indicate that group-based, culturally sensitive programs are advantageous but also reveal that fathers grapple with reconciling evolving fatherhood roles with societally entrenched expectations of masculinity. This review offers actionable insights for the future development, evaluation, and implementation of fatherhood interventions, particularly those utilizing qualitative research methodologies.

BACKGROUND: This review examines the impact of masculinity stigma on the diagnosis and treatment of metastatic prostate cancer, particularly in Latin America. It aims to provide insights into the influence of masculinity stigma on patient outcomes and inform strategies to address this issue.
METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted in electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL and LILACS) using relevant keywords and controlled vocabulary related to metastatic prostate cancer, masculinity, stigma, diagnosis, and treatment up to April 2023. The search strategy was developed in consultation with a medical librarian to ensure its comprehensiveness. Thirty-three studies that investigate the role of masculinity stigma in the diagnosis and treatment of metastatic prostate cancer were included.
RESULTS: Our findings highlight the unique sociocultural influences in Latin America that shape prostate cancer stigma. It emphasizes the impact of cultural beliefs, gender norms, and social expectations on stigma. Notions of masculinity, such as strength and invulnerability, contribute to the stigmatization of prostate cancer. Machismo culture and religious/spiritual beliefs further compound the challenges and hinder open communication about the disease. Cultural taboos, limited awareness, and misconceptions perpetuate the stigma.
CONCLUSIONS: These sociocultural factors shape the experiences and challenges faced by individuals with and at risk of prostate cancer in Latin America.

Men historically consume more meat than women, show fewer intentions to reduce meat consumption, and are underrepresented among vegans and vegetarians. Eating meat strongly aligns with normative masculinities, decisively affirming that \"real men\" eat meat and subordinating men who choose to be veg*n (vegan or vegetarian). The emergence of meat alternatives and increasing environmental concerns may contest these long-standing masculine norms and hierarchies. The current scoping review addresses the research question what are the connections between masculinities and men\'s attitudes and behaviors toward meat consumption and veg*nism? Using keywords derived from two key concepts, \"men\" and \"meat,\" 39 articles were selected and analyzed to inductively derive three thematic findings; (a) Meat as Masculine, (b) Veg*n Men as Othered, and (c) Veg*nism as Contemporary Masculinity. Meat as Masculine included how men\'s gendered identities, defenses, and physicalities were entwined with meat consumption. Veg*n Men as Othered explored the social and cultural challenges faced by men who adopt meatless diets, including perceptions of emasculation. Veg*nism as Contemporary Masculinity was claimed by men who eschewed meat in their diets and advocated for veg*nism as legitimate masculine capital through linkages to physical strength, rationality, self-determination, courage, and discipline. In light of the growing concern about the ecological impact of meat production and the adverse health outcomes associated with its excessive consumption, this review summarizes empirical connections between masculinities and the consumption of meat to consider directions for future men\'s health promotion research, policy, and practice.

Gender-responsive healthcare is critical to advancing men\'s health given that masculinities intersect with other social determinants to impact help-seeking, engagement with primary healthcare, and patient outcomes. A scoping review was undertaken with the aim to synthesize gender-responsive approaches used by healthcare providers (HCPs) to engage men with primary healthcare. MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases were searched for articles published between 2000 and February 2024. Titles and abstracts for 15,659 citations were reviewed, and 97 articles met the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted and analyzed thematically. Thirty-three approaches were synthesized from across counseling/psychology, general practice, social work, nursing, psychiatry, pharmacy, and unspecified primary healthcare settings. These were organized into three interrelated themes: (a) tailoring communication to reach men; (b) purposefully structuring treatment to meet men\'s health needs, and (c) centering the therapeutic alliance to retain men in care. Strength-based and asset-building approaches focused on reading and responding to a diversity of masculinities was reinforced across the three findings. While these approaches are recommended for the judicious integration into health practitioner education and practice, this review highlighted that the evidence remains underdeveloped, particularly for men who experience health inequities. Critical priorities for further research include intersectional considerations and operationalizing gender-responsive healthcare approaches for men and its outcomes, particularly at first point-of-contact encounters.

BACKGROUND: Men with breast cancer experience unique physical and emotional challenges. However, a thorough understanding of these experiences including the psychosocial effects and supportive care needs have received less attention. In some settings, men with breast cancer experience stigma within the healthcare system and their care needs are not prioritised. This influences the level of professional support offered, consequently worsening their health and well-being outcomes. This review explored the variabilities in the experiences and treatment modalities of male breast cancer (MBC) across different contexts.
METHODS: All primary study designs including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods studies that reported on the experiences, treatment approaches and outcomes of MBC were included in this systematic review. Six databases (Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Global Health, CINAHL and Web of Science) were searched for articles from January 2000 to September 2023. A results-based convergence synthesis was used for data analysis and reported using PRISMA guidelines.
RESULTS: Of the studies screened (n = 29,687), forty-four fulfilled the predetermined criteria and were included. Our findings relating to the experiences and treatment approaches of MBC are broadly themed into three parts. Theme 1-Navigating through a threat to masculinity: describes how males experienced the illness reflecting on detection, diagnosis, coming to terms with breast cancer, and disclosure. Theme 2- Navigating through treatment: captures the experiences of undergoing breast cancer treatment/ management following their diagnosis. Theme 3-Coping and support systems: describes how MBC patients coped with the disease, treatment process, aftercare/rehabilitative care, and the available support structures.
CONCLUSIONS: Men experience a myriad of issues following a breast cancer diagnosis, especially with their masculinity. Awareness creation efforts of MBC among the public and healthcare practitioners are urgently required, which could change the perception of men in promoting early diagnosis, adherence to treatments, post-treatment monitoring, oncological results and a better quality of life. Considerations for training, education and development of specialised guidelines for healthcare practitioners on MBC would provide the necessary knowledge and skills to enhance their practice through the adoption of person-centred and male-specific care strategies. Professional care intervention and support for MBC should not end after the diagnosis phase but should extend to the entire treatment continuum and aftercare including future research focusing on MBC specific clinical trials.
BACKGROUND: PROSPERO Registration No. CRD42021228778.

To evaluate the evidence base for patient, oncological, and treatment prognostic factors associated with multiple mental wellbeing outcomes in prostate cancer patients.
We performed a literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases including studies evaluating patient, oncological, or treatment factors against one of five mental wellbeing outcomes; depression, anxiety, fear of cancer recurrence, masculinity, and body image perception. Data synthesis included a random effects meta-analysis for the prognostic effect of individual factors if sufficient homogenous data was available, with a structured narrative synthesis where this was not possible.
A final 62 articles were included. Older age was associated with a reducing odds of depression (OR 0.97, p = 0.04), with little evidence of effect for other outcomes. Additionally, baseline mental health status was related to depression and increasing time since diagnosis was associated with reducing fear of recurrence, albeith with low certainty of evidence. However, few other patient or oncological factors demonstrated any coherent relationship with any wellbeing outcome. Androgen deprivation therapy was associated with increased depression (HR 1.65, 95% CI 1.41-1.92, p < 0.01) and anxiety, however, little difference was seen between other treatment options. Overall, whilst numerous factors were identified, most were evaluated by single studies with few evaluating masculinity and body image outcomes.
We highlight the existing evidence for prognostic factors in mental wellbeing outcomes in prostate cancer, allowing us to consider high-risk groups of patients for preventative and treatment measures. However, the current evidence is heterogenous with further work required exploring less conclusive factors and outcomes.

As part of a project to review the delivery of healthcare services in Torbay and South Devon, England, the author undertook a literature review focusing on the specialty of men\'s health. Men have a shorter life expectancy than women and this discrepancy is particularly pronounced in areas of social deprivation such as those found in the coastal and rural communities of the author\'s locality. The concept of men\'s health is complex, and this literature review identified five main themes that can have a significant influence on the delivery of healthcare services for men: masculinity, ethnicity, mental health, relevance of place, and access to services. In this article, the author discusses these themes and considers approaches that could be used to improve the provision of men\'s healthcare.

Gender-transformative health interventions that involve men and boys are gaining global reach, adaptability to specific geographical, population and epidemiological contexts, public endorsement, and conceptual sophistication. However, the ways in which masculinities are conceptualised and operationalised in theory and practice across these interventions remains unclear. The purpose of this scoping review is to map intervention studies that conceptually grapple with masculinities and analyse: a) how the concept of masculinities is adapted and operationalised in gender-transformative interventions, with respect to intervention population and context, b) what the relationship between the concept of masculinities and its wider theoretical embedding is, and c) on which levels transformation can be observed when working with \'masculinities\'.We conducted a search in APA Psych Articles, APA PsycINFO, and CINAHL via EBSCO, MedLine, PubMed, and Web of Sciences (December 2021) looking for peer-reviewed studies on gender-transformative health interventions which engaged with masculinities conceptually. There were no restrictions regarding language, publication date, or geography. Forty-two articles were included in this review. Our abductive analysis finds that \'hegemonic masculinities\' is a central concept in almost all included studies. This shows how the concept is adaptable to a range of different intervention contexts. The review further identifies five theoretical approaches, that help operationalise masculinities on an analytical level: feminist framework, affect theory, critical pedagogy, theories of social change, and ecological approaches. Lastly, this review draws out six levels on which transformation can be observed in the intervention outcomes: relational level, symbolic level, material level, affective level, cognitive-behavioural level, and community-structural level. The discussion underlines that processes and practices of (gender) transformation also require engagement with theories of transformation more widely and advocates for theoretical pluralism. Lastly, implications for practice, including preventative, ecological and community-based care models, are drawn out.