Inequalities in access to sexual health services among young people
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Community Pharmacy and Public Health: Reducing inequalities in health and access to sexual health services among young people (16-24)
IRAS ID
216756
Contact name
ANDI MABHALA
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Chester
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
REC REF 16/EE/0505, REC REF 16/EE/0505; REC REF 17/YH/0048, REC REF 17/YH/0048
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 10 days
Research summary
Young people (aged 16-24) are often viewed as a population with low health needs because the majority of them are strong, resilient and healthy. Nevertheless, health issues such as drug, alcohol use, mental health, sexual health and obesity in young people are a major public health concern. The young age at which individuals commence risk taking behaviours is a public health issue and these behaviours influence health and determinants of health later in life. It is therefore important that, young people establish appropriate health seeking behaviours and lifestyles during their adolescence as it is associated with improved health outcomes.
Access to sexual health care services, professional guidance and support is vital to meet the needs of young people. Community pharmacies (CPs) are widely distributed across the United Kingdom, with an ease of access without appointment to see the pharmacist, long opening hours, no consultation fees and advice readily available for sexual health services (and minor ailments). This has the potential to improve health care access for many young people. Therefore, the unique accessibility and distribution of CPs at the heart of communities presents an opportunity for community pharmacists to reduce inequalities in health and improve access to sexual health services particularly among young people who might find it difficult to access other providers.
This study aims to qualitatively explore young people’s experiences of accessing Community Pharmacy-based Sexual Health Services. It is anticipated that the study will illuminate the influences affecting their choices of accessing sexual health services from within the community.
Whilst there is an established focus for young people’s sexual health care provision through a community pharmacy-based Umbrella sexual health service, this study will explore young people’s experiences of accessing this service, and generic community pharmacy-based sexual health services support.
Up to thirty young people who meet the study recruitment criteria will participate in the study. Potential participants will be recruited through flyers advertisement of the study which will be placed in participating community pharmacies. The flyers advertising the study will be placed in an area which will be easily accessible to young people who access community pharmacies. The researcher’s contact details, mobile phone and University email address will be displayed on the flyers to allow potential participants the opportunity to contact the researcher in-order to gain further information about the study. Participant information sheets will also be placed in the participating community pharmacies in-order to allow potential participants who require further information about the study to make informed decisions about whether to participate.
Umbrella sexual health services personnel are not directly involved with the study. The pharmacists will not be discussing the study with any potential participants. Recruitment will be reliant on the researcher.
Potential participants that do contact the researcher will be invited to ask any questions and if they decide to take part, a mutually agreeable time (9-5pm) to both the participant and the researcher in a consultation room at the designated community pharmacy. Recruitment of potential participants will also take place in non-Umbrella community pharmacies. Prior to all interviews, all participants will be asked to confirm that they are aged between 16-24 years, and then asked to sign a written consent form. Using audio recording, a single individual semi structured interview lasting between 20 and 50 minutes at the discretion of the participant, will be used for data collection. Confidentiality will be maintained using a pseudonym. Following verbatim transcription by the researcher, the data will be coded.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/YH/0048
Date of REC Opinion
7 Apr 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion