Inside Out Health Project
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How do male prisoners experience HIV healthcare in English prisons? An exploration of patients' experiences and opinions.
IRAS ID
253869
Contact name
M. Felicity J. Young
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Portsmouth
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Research Registry , ResearchRegistry5255
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 7 months, 30 days
Research summary
The aim of this study is to contribute to improving care through understanding men’s experience of HIV healthcare whilst they are in prison. British HIV Association (BHIVA) standards of care for people living with HIV (BHIVA, 2018) describe how care should be provided. However, there are circumstances and constraints of the prison environment which creates a tension between providing healthcare in prison and the requirements of custody and security.
We plan to undertake a qualitative research project exploring with men their experience of receiving HIV healthcare in prison. Potential participants will be made aware of the study by HIV clinicians or HIV peer-support organisations or through social media. The research team will raise awareness of the project by attending HIV-related conferences and meetings, by participating in online groups and social media, and by providing posters and postcards with supporting information and project contact details.
We expect to interview up to 12 men living with HIV who have previously been in prison about their experience of HIV healthcare in prison. Interviews will last around one hour and be undertaken either face-to-face or remotely: via telephone, video, or email. Participants will choose their interview method. Face-to-face and telephone interviews will be recorded with a password-protected encrypted digital voice recorder. Video interviews will be recorded with a password-protected encrypted laptop. Email interviews will be conducted via a dedicated email account, also password protected.
Data will be analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) to explore men’s views of HIV healthcare whilst in prison and to identify themes or patterns of meaning in their commentary. From their comments, the good and bad aspects of care in prison and the current gaps in care may be identified. These findings will form the basis on which to make recommendations for “best practice” for improving HIV healthcare in prisons.
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/0164
Date of REC Opinion
24 Mar 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion