Prison Sexual Health Services and Pre-Exposure prophylaxis (PREP) V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Prisoner perspectives of Sexual Health Services and Pre-Exposure prophylaxis (PREP) A qualitative study in Southern England, Male Category C and D prisons.
IRAS ID
333581
Contact name
Kate Gooch
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bath
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
857 Version: 2, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Set against a background of:
• Higher rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) HIV in male prisons compared to the
general community.• The acceptance and feasibility of offering the HIV prevention intervention Pre-Exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) within prisons being
largely unknown.This study uses a qualitative approach, interviews with male prisoners, to understand prisoners’ perspectives of prison based sexual health services and the acceptability and feasibility of PrEP. This study, does not aim to explore prisoner health, or their sexual health, and is about gaining understanding of prisoner perceptions and experiences of services and potential PrEP services only.
The study focusses on category C and D prisons. This is largely because many prisoners within these categories are soon to be released, moved, or have flexible release patterns compared to other categories, meaning there is higher risk of community transmission of STIs and HIV by prisoners in these categories. Due to many prisoners being resident at these prisons for longer periods compared to other Categories, there is opportunity to improve sexual health outcomes in those residing in them, through informed services.
Informed prison based sexual health and PrEP services, through recommendations generated in this research, could help mitigate community infections, as well as transmission within the prison walls. It aims to generate recommendations for a tailored prison based PrEP pilot in England.
REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0374
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jul 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion