Optimising PrEP Services: sexual health clinic attender study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What are the views and experiences of people seeking, using and declining HIV Pre Exposure Prophylaxis in Scotland? a qualitative study
IRAS ID
244754
Contact name
Claudia Estcourt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Glasgow Caledonian University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Title: Optimising PrEP: sexual health clinic attender study. What are the views and experiences of people seeking PrEP, using PrEP and those who decline PrEP?
Oral HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) describes anti-HIV drugs which are taken by people without HIV before engaging in activities which carry a risk of acquiring the virus. PrEP has been shown to reduce risks for HIV transmission by at least 75% among heterosexuals and 85% among men who have sex with men. The availability and use of PrEP is therefore a key step towards the eradication of HIV. Scotland is one of the first countries in the world to introduce PrEP on its national health service (NHS). As such, there is currently an absence of understanding of patients' experience with PrEP, a vital component in maximising the potential of this intervention to reduce new HIV diagnoses. PrEP is currently accessible to patients attending sexual health clinics who satisfy specific criteria. PrEP can also be bought privately on the internet. This study focusses on patients who have (i) accessed PrEP within or outwith the NHS, (ii) been offered PrEP and declined, or (iii) sought PrEP and been deemed ineligible. Participants will be recruited from four urban NHS sexual health services in Scotland either through awareness raising by clinicians during consultations or by contacting patients directly. Eligible participants will be aged 16+ years, able to communicate in English, and have attended sexual health services for PrEP related reasons or have had PrEP discussed with them. Telephone interviews will be conducted with consented participants. Data from the transcribed interviews will be analysed to identify recurring themes. Key ideas for improving PrEP provision will be sought, such as those that increase awareness of PrEP and foster accurate self-assessed eligibility for PrEP, as well as identification of the key aspects of the patient pathway that enable adherence and retention within services. The study will run over 12 months from May 2018-April 2019.REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
18/SS/0075
Date of REC Opinion
29 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion