The Australian longitudinal study on male health-methods

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Longitudinal Studies
• Male Health Research

Background:

• Established in 2011, the Australian Longitudinal Study on Male Health (Ten to Men) aims to enhance evidence for male health policy.
• It addresses a critical need for comprehensive data on the health and wellbeing of males across Australia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a robust evidence base for male health policy and program development.
• To investigate various aspects of male health, including socio-demographics, behaviors, and service utilization.

Main Methods:

• A national, longitudinal study employing a stratified multi-stage cluster random sample design.
• Recruitment of 15,988 males aged 10-55 years between October 2013 and July 2014.
• Data collection via questionnaires and computer-assisted interviews, covering a wide range of health indicators.

Main Results:

• Successfully recruited a cohort of 15,988 males aged 10 to 55 years.
• Achieved a response fraction of 35% during the household recruitment phase.
• Collected comprehensive data on socio-demographics, health status, mental health, behaviors, and service use.

Conclusions:

• Ten to Men represents a unique and valuable resource for male health and wellbeing research.
• Wave 1 data are accessible to approved research projects, facilitating further investigation into male health.
• The study provides a foundation for informing targeted health interventions and policies for males.