Sexual health service provision for people with serious mental illness
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the current sexual health service provisions for people with serious mental illness in mental health care settings.
IRAS ID
178845
Contact name
Liz Hughes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 31 days
Research summary
The sexual health needs of people with serious mental illness such as schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorders have been side-lined in the recent push to improve overall physical health and well-being. Studies published in the UK (Hughes and Gray, 2009) and Australia (Quinn, 2012) suggest that sexual health is not addressed routinely by mental health nurses. However we do know that people with serious mental health problems are at risk of violence and exploitation in their intimate relationships as well as at greater risk of sexually transmitted infections and blood borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis B and C than the general population. The purpose of this study is to gather information on knowledge and practice (capabilities) of mental health workers and services concerning sexual health in people with serious mental illness.
A survey questionnaire will be sent out to health care professionals responsible for providing mental health services. The survey will ask a number of structured questions on practice (capabilities) of mental health workers and services. The information gathered in this way will be analysed quantitatively to provide a quantitative description of current practice and service provisions for sexual health in people with serious mental illness. The findings of the study will contribute to what is currently known on this important topic, identify gaps in service provision and practice, and also inform the development of future research proposals to investigate sexual health and mental health with the aim of improving sexual health for people who use mental health services.
REC name
N/A
REC reference
N/A