Experience of receiving a positive HIV test result from primary care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing a model of Sub-Saharan Africans’ experience of receiving a positive HIV test result in primary care.
IRAS ID
223820
Contact name
Camilla Follows
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, Royal Holloway University of London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 6 days
Research summary
Opt-out testing has been recommended for all new patient registrations in primary care in areas of high HIV prevalence (>2 per 1,000 population). The aim is to increase the number of people aware of their status and enhance entry into care. This initiative is especially linked to sub-Saharan Africans as they are at a higher risk of being HIV positive and diagnosed later (UNAIDS, 2013).
Testing in primary care may increase the number of people aware of their status and reach people who would otherwise not test however, there may be some psychological consequences to receiving a positive diagnosis in this setting. For example, if individuals are tested routinely, it may increase the chances of being given a diagnosis when they do not think they are at risk. This can have post-test implications for adjustment, disclosure, future help-seeking and intimate relationships.
This study hopes to gain insight into the experiences of individuals that have received a positive HIV result in primary care. A model will be developed aiming to describe post-test experiences, including HIV disclosure, relationship impact, future help-seeking and adjustment. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted with a sample of sub-Saharan Africans and analysis will use grounded theory.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0598
Date of REC Opinion
25 May 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion