Health officials ask men of Gold Coast to ‘step up’ and get tested for COVID-19

Recent statistics reveal that Gold Coast men are shying away from coronavirus testing, with only 31.6 per cent of those aged 18-65 fronting up to respiratory clinics.

GOLD Coast men are shying away from coronavirus testing, choosing instead to ignore the signs and work through their illness.

New figures from the Gold Coast Primary Health Network (GCPHN) show only 31.6 per cent of those aged 18-65 are fronting up to respiratory clinics, compared to nearly 70 per cent (68.4) of women in the same age bracket.

It has launched a campaign to encourage more men to get the COVID-19 test as part of Men’s Health Week.

Statewide, members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community are also under-represented for testing, as are children.

This Men’s Health Week health experts are urging Gold Coast men to get tested for coronavirus. Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

GCPHN chairman Dr Roger Halliwell said it was important that these groups including parents or carers were tested for any cold or flu like illness which could include a cough, fever, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose and fatigue.

Dr Halliwell said as restrictions eased, testing was even more important to detect any community transmission.

“Men of working age are historically and notoriously bad at looking after their health and just think “it’s just a sore throat I’ll keep working”, whereas they should go for a COVID test,” he said.

“One of the important reasons men must look after their health is not just for themselves but for their families, their children and everybody else.

“We want men to visit their GP to ensure their health checks, cancer screenings and immunisations are up-to-date and if they have any chronic disease conditions, that they are well managed, particularly during winter and while we are in the midst of a pandemic.”

Dr Roger Halliwell, of Gold Coast Primary Health Network, says only 30 per cent of working aged men are getting tested for COVID-19. Picture Glenn Hampson

Dr Halliwell said men could also discuss any mental health or drug and alcohol concerns with their GP. A recent survey reported that over 40 per cent of the 1900 people surveyed said their drinking had increased during the pandemic. Men are also more at risk of suicide, representing six of the eight people that die every day in Australia from suicide.

Dr Vicki Slinko from Gold Coast’s Public Health Unit said generally men tended to ignore their health, with and women having better health seeking behaviour.

“We’ve never had anything like this (coronavirus) in our community before so it should shock us out of our complacency,” she said.

Upper Coomera Respiratory clinic headed by Dr Sonu Haikerwal of Haan Health.

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“Getting a test isn’t the most pleasant thing in the world but it’s not having a blood test, just rubbing a little swab around the back of the throat and nose.”

Upper Coomera Respiratory Clinic head Dr Sonu Haikerwal said she had produced a video reminding patients that even if just one person has symptoms that it’s best the entire family, including dad, is tested.

Men can visit headtohealth.gov.au or call 1800 177 833 for alcohol and drug support.