Article: Community Health Workers ‘s perspectives on healthcare accessibility and utilisation by adult men in the City of Mbombela, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Objective: Men in the city of Mbombela, face persistent barriers to healthcare access, driven by socio-cultural norms and systemic challenges. Community Health Workers (CHWs) are well-positioned to understand these barriers yet remain underrepresented in health system planning. This study aimed to explore CHWs’ perceptions of the obstacle’s adult men (18-60 years) encounter when seeking care and to identify feasible strategies to improve engagement within differentiated service delivery models. Results: We conducted five focus group discussions with 63 CHWs using a semi-structured guide. Thematic analysis identified that men’s health-seeking behaviour is constrained by harmful masculinity norms, HIV-related stigma, financial hardship, and inflexible clinic hours. CHWs reported playing key roles in awareness-raising and linkage to care but noted limited resources and training to effectively engage men. Participants proposed practical solutions, including mobile clinics, workplace-based services, male peer support groups, and gender-sensitive counseling. Findings suggest that integrating CHWs into male-targeted, community-based care models, while addressing both structural and cultural barriers could enhance men’s access and retention in health services.