Understanding the barriers and facilitators to using self-sampling packs for sexually transmitted infections and blood-borne viruses : thematic analyses for intervention optimization
Flowers, Paul and Vojt, Gabriele and Pothoulaki, Maria and Mapp, Fiona and Woode Owusu, Melvina and Estcourt, Claudia and Cassell, Jackie and Saunders, John (2023) Understanding the barriers and facilitators to using self-sampling packs for sexually transmitted infections and blood-borne viruses : thematic analyses for intervention optimization. British Journal of Health Psychology, 28 (1). pp. 156-173. ISSN 1359-107X (https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.12617)
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Abstract
Purpose: Self-sampling packs for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and blood-borne viruses (BBVs) are widely offered. There are ongoing problems with reach and sample return rates. The packs have arisen without formal intervention development. This paper illustrates initial steps of an intervention optimization process to improve the packs. Methods: Eleven focus groups and seven interviews were conducted with convenience samples of patients recruited from sexual health clinics and members of the public (n = 56). To enable intervention optimization, firstly, we conducted an inductive appraisal of the behavioural system of using the pack to understand meaningful constituent behavioural domains. Subsequently, we conducted a thematic analysis of barriers and facilitators to enacting each sequential behavioural domain in preparation for future behaviour change wheel analysis. Results: Overall, we found that self-sampling packs were acceptable. Participants understood their overall logic and value as a pragmatic intervention that simultaneously facilitated and reduced barriers to individuals being tested for STIs and BBVs. However, at the level of each behavioural domain (e.g., reading leaflets, returning samples) problems with the pack were identified, as well as a series of potential optimizations, which might widen the reach of self-sampling and increase the return of viable samples. Conclusions: This paper provides an example of a pragmatic approach to optimizing an intervention already widely offered globally. The paper demonstrates the added value health psychological approaches offer; conceptualizing interventions in behavioural terms, pinpointing granular behavioural problems amenable for systematic further improvement.
ORCID iDs
Flowers, Paul ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6239-5616, Vojt, Gabriele, Pothoulaki, Maria, Mapp, Fiona, Woode Owusu, Melvina, Estcourt, Claudia, Cassell, Jackie and Saunders, John;-
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Item type: Article ID code: 81693 Dates: DateEventFebruary 2023Published2 August 2022Published Online5 July 2022AcceptedSubjects: Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > Psychology Department: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS) > Psychological Sciences and Health > Psychology Depositing user: Pure Administrator Date deposited: 03 Aug 2022 14:29 Last modified: 27 Nov 2024 01:21 URI: https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/81693