Peer led interventions to address NCD risk factors in prisons
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The feasibility of peer-educator interventions to address behavioural risk factors for non-communicable diseases in prisons
IRAS ID
149224
Contact name
Nat Wright
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes are known as ‘non-communicable diseases’ (NCDs). Cigarette smoking, unhealthy diets and lack of physical activity contribute to these conditions. NCDs are a health issue for many prisoners. Whilst the evidence for peer-led interventions is equivocal in mainstream populations, there is increasing evidence that peer-based approaches in prisons can be effective in supporting healthcare delivery and health improvement amongst prisoners, many of whom struggle to trust or engage with mainstream services. The research team are interested to investigate how a peer-led (also referred to as health trainer in some prisons) intervention might help prisoners to lead healthier lifestyles and make them less likely to suffer from NCDs.
Our proposed research study entails two phases. In the first phase, the research team will undertake qualitative exploratory work to inform the development of an appropriate peer-led intervention. The team will conduct focus groups with prisoners which will explore the prisoners’ health concerns and the extent to which they perceive NCDs and health related behaviours to be a health issue and priority for them; in particular we will investigate attitudes towards peer-led initiatives. The team will also conduct qualitative interviews with staff which will explore the feasibility of interventions and how they should best be delivered in the prison setting. The second phase of the research will entail delivery of the intervention to evaluate the feasibility of implementation. The design of the intervention will be informed by the findings from the literature review and the interviews and focus groups conducted with prisoners and staff respectively. Therefore, the initiative may also involve a staff-led approach alongside a peer-led approach which would enable a comparison, if appropriate, and allow for exploration of an alternative model which may offer insight into challenges faced with an entirely peer-led approach.
REC name
North East - York Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NE/0042
Date of REC Opinion
19 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion