Dataset Information

Acceptability of HIV self-sampling kits (TINY vial) among people of black African ethnicity in the UK: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Increasing routine HIV testing among key populations is a public health imperative, so improving access to acceptable testing options for those in need is a priority. Despite increasing targeted distribution and uptake of HIV self-sampling kits (SSKs) among men who have sex with men in the UK, little is known about why targeted SSK interventions for black African users are not as wide-spread or well-used. This paper addresses this key gap, offering insight into why some groups may be less likely than others to adopt certain types of SSK interventions in particular contexts. These data were collected during the development phase of a larger study to explore the feasibility and acceptability of targeted distribution of SSKs to black African people.

Methods

We undertook 6 focus groups with members of the public who self-identified as black African (n?=?48), 6 groups with specialists providing HIV and social services to black African people (n?=?53), and interviews with HIV specialist consultants and policy-makers (n?=?9). Framework analysis was undertaken, using inductive and deductive analysis to develop and check themes.

Results

We found three valuable components of targeted SSK interventions for this population: the use of settings and technologies that increase choice and autonomy; targeted offers of HIV testing that preserve privacy and do not exacerbate HIV stigma; and ensuring that the specific kit being used (in this case, the TINY vial) is perceived as simple and reliable.

Conclusions

This unique and rigorous research offers insights into participants' views on SSK interventions, offering key considerations when targeting this population.. Given the plethora of HIV testing options, our work demonstrates that those commissioning and delivering SSK interventions will need to clarify (for users and providers) how each kit type and intervention design adds value. Most significantly, these findings demonstrate that without a strong locus of control over their own circumstances and personal information, black African people are less likely to feel that they can pursue an HIV test that is safe and secure. Thus, where profound social inequalities persist, so will inequalities in HIV testing uptake - by any means.

SUBMITTER: Dodds C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5899406 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Acceptability of HIV self-sampling kits (TINY vial) among people of black African ethnicity in the UK: a qualitative study.

Dodds C C Mugweni E E Phillips G G Park C C Young I I Fakoya I I Wayal S S McDaid L L Sachikonye M M Chwaula J J Flowers P P Burns F F

BMC public health 20180413 1

<h4>Background</h4>Increasing routine HIV testing among key populations is a public health imperative, so improving access to acceptable testing options for those in need is a priority. Despite increasing targeted distribution and uptake of HIV self-sampling kits (SSKs) among men who have sex with men in the UK, little is known about why targeted SSK interventions for black African users are not as wide-spread or well-used. This paper addresses this key gap, offering insight into why some groups ...[more]

PMID: 29653536

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Project description:BackgroundA significantly higher proportion of UK Black ethnic adults live with overweight or obesity, compared to their White British counterparts. The role of obesity in excess infection rates and mortality from COVID-19 has increased the need to understand if weight management interventions are appropriate and effective for Black ethnic groups. There is a paucity of existing research on weight management services in Black populations, and whether anticipated or experienced institutional and interpersonal racism in the healthcare and more widely affects engagement in these services. Understanding the lived experience of target populations and views of service providers delivering programmes is essential for timely service improvement.MethodsA qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted in June-October 2021 among 18 Black African and Black Caribbean men and women interested in losing weight and 10 weight management service providers.ResultsThe results highlighted a positive view of life in the United Kingdom (UK), whether born in the UK or born abroad, but one which was marred by racism. Weight gain was attributed by participants to unhealthy behaviours and the environment, with improving appearance and preventing ill health key motivators for weight loss. Participants relied on self-help to address their overweight, with the role of primary care in weight management contested as a source of support. Anticipated or previously experienced racism in the health care system and more widely, accounted for some of the lack of engagement with services. Participants and service providers agreed on the lack of relevance of existing services to Black populations, including limited culturally tailored resources. Community based, ethnically matched, and flexibly delivered weight management services were suggested as ideal, and could form the basis of a set of recommendations for research and practice.ConclusionCultural tailoring of existing services and new programmes, and cultural competency training are needed. These actions are required within systemic changes, such as interventions to address discrimination. Our qualitative insights form the basis for advancing further work and research to improve existing services to address the weight-related inequality faced by UK Black ethnic groups.

Project description:BackgroundOur knowledge of the effect of potentially modifiable risks factors on people developing dementia is mostly from European origin populations. We aimed to explore if these risk factors had similar effects in United Kingdom (UK) White, South Asian and Black UK Biobank participants recruited from 2006-2010 and followed up until 2020.MethodsWe reviewed the literature to 25.09.2020 for meta-analyses identifying potentially modifiable risk factors preceding dementia diagnosis by ≥10 years. We calculated prevalence of each identified risk factor and association with dementia for participants aged ≥55 at registration in UK Biobank. We calculated hazard ratios using Cox regression for each risk factor, stratified by ethnic group, and tested for differences using interaction effects between each risk factor and ethnicity.FindingsWe included education, hearing loss, hypertension, obesity, excess alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, smoking, high total cholesterol, depression, diabetes, social isolation, and air pollution as risks. Out of 294,162 participants, there were 287,806 White, 3590 South Asian and 2766 Black people, followed up for up to 14.8 years, with a total follow-up time of 3,392,095 years. During follow-up, 5,972 people (2.03%) developed dementia. Risk of dementia was higher in Black participants than White participants (HR for dementia compared to White participants as reference 1.43, 95% CI 1.16-1.77, p = 0.001) but South Asians had a similar risk. Association between each risk factor and dementia was similar in each ethnic group with no evidence to support any differences.InterpretationWe find that Black participants were more likely to develop dementia than White participants, but South Asians were not. Identified risk factors in White European origin participants had a similar effect in Black and South Asian origin participants. Volunteers in UK Biobank are not representative of the population and interaction effects were underpowered so further work is needed.

Project description:OBJECTIVES:Diet and lifestyle may have a role in delaying prostate cancer progression, but little is known about the health behaviours of Black British prostate cancer survivors despite this group having a higher prostate cancer mortality rate than their White counterparts. We explored the barriers and facilitators to dietary and lifestyle changes and the acceptability of a diet and physical activity intervention in African Caribbean prostate cancer survivors. DESIGN:We conducted semistructured in-depth interviews and used thematic analysis to code and group the data. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING:We recruited 14 African Caribbean prostate cancer survivors via letter or at oncology follow-up appointments using purposive and convenience sampling. RESULTS:A prostate cancer diagnosis did not trigger dietary and lifestyle changes in most men. This lack of change was underpinned by five themes: precancer diet and lifestyle, evidence, coping with prostate cancer, ageing, and autonomy. Men perceived their diet and lifestyle to be healthy and were uncertain about the therapeutic benefits of these factors on prostate cancer recurrence. They considered a lifestyle intervention as unnecessary because their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was kept under control by the treatments they had received. They believed dietary and lifestyle changes should be self-initiated and motivated, but were willing to make additional changes if they were perceived to be beneficial to health. Nonetheless, some men cited advice from health professionals and social support in coping with prostate cancer as facilitators to positive dietary and lifestyle changes. A prostate cancer diagnosis and ageing also heightened men's awareness of their health, particularly in regards to their body weight. CONCLUSIONS:A dietary and physical activity intervention framed as helping men to regain fitness and aid post-treatment recovery aimed at men with elevated PSA may be appealing and acceptable to African Caribbean prostate cancer survivors.

Dataset Information

Acceptability of HIV self-sampling kits (TINY vial) among people of black African ethnicity in the UK: a qualitative study.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Acceptability of HIV self-sampling kits (TINY vial) among people of black African ethnicity in the UK: a qualitative study.

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