A qualitative evaluation of the Enough Talk, Time for Action male health and wellbeing program: a primary health care engagement strategy designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males

Kootsy Canuto; Celina Gaweda; Corey Kennedy; Douglas Clinch; Bryce Brickley; Oliver Black; Rosie Neate; Karla J. Canuto; Cameron Stokes; Gracie Ah Mat; Kurt Towers

doi:10.1071/PY25070

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

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A qualitative evaluation of the Enough Talk, Time for Action male health and wellbeing program: a primary health care engagement strategy designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males

Kootsy Canuto ^A ^B , Celina Gaweda

^B ^C ^* , Corey Kennedy ^B ^C , Douglas Clinch ^B , Bryce Brickley ^A , Oliver Black

^D , Rosie Neate ^B ^C , Karla J. Canuto ^A , Cameron Stokes ^A , Gracie Ah Mat ^A Kurt Towers ^E

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Darwin, NT, Australia.

^B Wardliparingga Aboriginal Health Equity, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia.

^C College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia.

^D National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing Research, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.

^E South Australian Government, Department for Health and Wellbeing, Adelaide, SA, Australia.

^* Correspondence to: celina.gaweda@flinders.edu.au

Australian Journal of Primary Health 31, PY25070 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY25070

Submitted: 9 April 2025 Accepted: 28 August 2025 Published: 16 September 2025

© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of La Trobe University. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Background

Improving engagement and utilisation of Primary Health Care Services (PHCS) by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males is critical to advancing current physical and mental health outcomes among the subgroup with the highest burden of disease in Australia. PHCS are a first point of contact, coordinating services essential in preventing and managing these conditions. A Men’s Group was established within a South Australian Aboriginal PHCS as a strategy to address documented barriers of access to health care. This study aimed to explore participant experiences and perspectives of the Men’s Group initiative to inform the program.

Methods

This Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led qualitative study used an Aboriginal Participatory Action Research (APAR) framework and a Continuous Quality Improvement approach to gather and transfer Indigenous Knowledges. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men attending the Men’s Group. Data were analysed using thematic network analysis.

Results

Thirty two participants were interviewed in total. Five global themes were identified: (1) Facilitates and strengthens social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB), (2) Acquiring health knowledge and care is valued, (3) Provide greater opportunities to strengthen connection to culture, (4) Foster individual and collective self-determination, and (5) Improve access and enhance program delivery.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of APAR to enhance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male engagement with PHCS through prioritising their voices to co-design a culturally responsive male health program. The findings illustrate profound SEWB, empowerment and health awareness outcomes, resulting from engaging in the newly established, localised Men’s Group.

Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Aboriginal participatory action research, engagement strategy, health and wellbeing program, Indigenous, men’s group, men’s health, primary health care.

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