Testing and diagnosis delay for HIV
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding factors behind late testing and diagnosis of HIV (IMPRESS Health 2) Project.
IRAS ID
136799
Contact name
Stephen O'Connor
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Canterbury Christ Church University
Research summary
By the end of 2012 an estimated 100,000 people were living with HIV in the UK, approximately a quarter of whom were unaware of their infection. Half of the patients diagnosed as HIV positive in Kent and Medway are diagnosed at a late stage - that is when the number of particular immune cells (CD4 cells) in their bloodstream has dropped below a certain level. Late presentation is one of the biggest contributing factors to illness and death for people with HIV. The aim of this study is to gain a better understanding of factors that are contributing to people being tested and diagnosed late and to provide information for the development of educational or other interventions to reduce delay. The study involves face to face, in depth, interviews with a sample of HIV positive patients who attend GUM/Sexual Health Clinics. They will be asked whether they thought they may be at risk, who made the decision to go for testing, what factors influenced this decision and their views on what could be done to help others get an earlier diagnosis. Health Professionals who may have patients presenting with symptoms that might be indicative of HIV infection will also be interviewed. They will be asked about their knowledge and understanding of HIV and what might trigger a decision to recommend a test. The clinicians interviewed will include A&E doctors, GP's, chest physicians, dermatologists and cancer specialists. All interviews will be recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data will be analysed using a computer based analysis package. The data will be then used to inform the development of educational or other interventions to reduce delay in HIV testing and diagnosis. The findings will also be disseminated within the local trusts, with our European partners and at conferences and in academic papers.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 1 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/NE/0267
Date of REC Opinion
20 Sep 2013
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion